World Masters Games, an International Multi-sport Event for Lifetime Sports
The World Masters Games (WMG) is an international multi-sport athletic competition for lifetime sports that anyone over the age of 30 can participate in. The first event was held in Toronto in 1985. Since then, it has been held every four years around the world, with a total of 170,000 sports enthusiasts participating. The latest Games (the 9th hosting) took place in Auckland, New Zealand in 2017 and was attended by about 30,000 people from all over the world.
Held in Asia for the First Time! Participate in the WMG 2021 Kansai and enjoy Hyogo Prefecture!
Competition Period: The new dates are being discussed between the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) and the WMG 2021 Organising Committee
Hyogo Prefecture is composed of various areas ranging from big cities to rural areas and remote islands, and has a variety of climates and natural features. Visitors can enjoy various leisure activities such as swimming, skiing, and hot springs, as well as seasonal foods. The prefecture is divided into 5 unique regions: Settsu (Kobe/Hanshin), Harima, Tajima, Tamba, and Awaji, where you can enjoy the unique nature, history, and culture of each region.
The 10th WMG tournament will be held in the Kansai region, which includes Hyogo Prefecture! This is the first time that the Games is held in Asia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been postponed again, and the new dates are being discussed between IMGA and the WMG 2021 Kansai Organising Committee. Organisers aim to attract 50,000 participants, of which 30,000 from Japan and 20,000 from abroad. WMG2021 Kansai has 35 official competitions and 59 events in total. Of these, 11 competitions and 15 events are held in Hyogo Prefecture.
Competitions in Hyogo Prefecture
・Canoe (Polo): Shiso City
・Orienteering (Forest): Yabu City, Kami Town, Kamikawa Town
・Swimming (Water Polo and Artistic Swimming): Amagasaki City
・Taekwondo: Himeji City
・Tennis: Miki City/Kasai City
・Beach Volleyball: Minamiawaji City
・Shooting (Clay): Okayama City
・Athletics (Racewalking), Baseball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Swimming (Diving and Swimming), Orienteering (Sprint): Kobe City
The Games is an opportunity where many participants and volunteers can interact through the competitions and events. With the competitions being held across a vast region, participants can make the most of the unique aspect of the 10th Games and enjoy sports tourism by doing some sightseeing between competitions. Participants from overseas can purchase a cost-effective Wide Area Pass that gives them unlimited rail travel in the hosting areas for a week, so that they can enjoy various attractions of the Kansai region, including Hyogo Prefecture. We sincerely look forward to seeing you at the Games!
For information on the holding of the World Masters Games 2021 Kansai, please see the link to the Organising Committee’s official website below.
