On Saturday, June 27th, Faculty of Commerce and the Student Affairs Department jointly held a "Para Sports Experience Competition" at Okusu Arena.
This competition was held with the aim of deepening interaction among students by allowing them to experience parasports firsthand, promoting understanding of the appeal and ingenuity of the sports, and encouraging reflection on a society where everyone, regardless of disability, can live together. 456 people participated.
On the day of the event, seven sports were set up: wheelchair pickleball, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, boccia, and goalball. The students, in groups, tried three sports each, experiencing the unique characteristics and techniques of each sport.
During the sports experience, participants got a feel for the difficulty of handling the ball and racket while actually operating a racing wheelchair, the sensation of playing by relying on sound with limited vision, and the ingenuity required to keep the ball in play with teammates while seated. They also learned that various modifications have been made to the rules and equipment of the sport so that many people can enjoy it together, regardless of whether they have a disability or differences in athletic ability.
In a post-experience survey, participants shared their experiences of the challenges of operating competitive wheelchairs and playing with limited vision, stating that they "realized the strategic aspects of boccia and its appeal as a sport that everyone can enjoy regardless of disability," and that it "gave them an opportunity to deepen their understanding of an inclusive society." 98.1% of students responded that "their understanding of and interest in people with disabilities has changed," and 99.5% said that "their understanding of parasports has deepened," indicating that it was a meaningful experience for the students.
Our university will continue to actively provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of diverse values through experiential learning and to think about a harmonious society where everyone is respected.
[Faculty of Commerce /Student Affairs Division]
