Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa (right) speaks with Jun Imanishi during a meeting.

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), received Jun Imanishi, Consul General of Japan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Masahiro Shiria, CEO of Shikibu, a Japanese company specialised in the production and export of fabrics, along with the accompanying delegation on Tuesday in Dubai.

The meeting explored ways to enhance cooperation between the two parties to advance the Olympic movement in the UAE and Japan to serve the mutual benefits of both nations.

Discussions included the 20th Asian Games to be hosted by Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in 2026, marking the third time Japan will host the event after Tokyo 1958 and Hiroshima 1994. They emphasised the importance of the UAE's presence in this major continental event, highlighting its role as a key partner in the success of previous editions of the Games.

Masahiro Shiria started the meeting with a welcome speech, expressing pride in designing the official uniform for the UAE's sports delegation participating in the Olympic Games in Paris from 26 July to 11 August. The delegation will showcase these uniforms during the opening and closing ceremonies, along with aesthetically designed flags of the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of France for the delegation parade.

Imanishi highlighted the strong relations between the UAE and Japan, noting the significant progress made in various fields. He expressed his commitment to further strengthening these ties, given the extensive cooperation between the two nations. "We wish the UAE sports delegation success in the Paris Olympics and are proud to review samples of athlete uniforms produced by a specialised Japanese company," he stated.

Mutawa welcomed the Japanese Consul and the Shikibu delegation and praised the high-quality designs and materials of the UAE delegation's official uniform for the Paris Olympics. “This collaboration, following the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, reflects the Japanese side's dedication to communication and cooperation, resulting in outcomes that honour the sports mission representing the UAE in major Olympic events,” he commented.

The meeting was also attended by Noura Al Jasmi, Abdulaziz Al Salman, NOC Board Members along with Mohammed Bin Darwish, Executive Director of the NOC.