Sport for Tomorrow Conference 2024: Event report

On March 6th 2024, Tokyo, Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) organized the “SFT Conference 2024”, a hybrid symposium for international development through sport. 

SFT is an international development program through sport based on the consortium-based approach, initiated by the government of Japan. SFT was launched in 2013 and has delivered the value of sport to more than 10 million people over 200 countries and regions, aligning with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since 2022, SFT has newly focused on the legacy of Tokyo 2020 games and SDGs, tackling with social challenges.  

“SFT Conference 2024” was organized, inviting Japanese stakeholders such as governmental organizations, national sport federations and private sectors. The annual conference was held under the concepts; international development through sport for next generation and beyond the legacy of Tokyo 2020 Games. 

In global trend session, Ms.Marie Barsacq, Executive Director of Impact and Legacy, Paris 2024, shared the legacy strategy of the games. Dr.Verity Postlethwaite, doctoral prize fellow of Loughborough University, presented the legacy implementation of London 2012 Games. Furthermore, Japan Triathlon Union shared the legacy project of Tokyo 2020 games in terms of support for Ukraine Triathlon Team. There was also a presentation about impact evaluation from Prof. Yuhei Inoue, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. 

Panel discussion was held facilitated by Ms. Kaho Shinohara, Laureus Sport for Good foundation, with young generation from NGO, graduate school, and athletes. The award ceremony was also held for leading organizations which implemented effective projects. More than 200 people took part in the event. 

SFT continues to develop various projects, collaborating with relevant stakeholders and promote the movement of international development through sport for better future.