SeaHorses Mikawa Deepens Ties with Handa City: Promoting Community Co-Creation Project 'Be With' Through Citizen Invitations and Basketball Clinics

Thank you always for your continued support of the SeaHorses Mikawa.

On Monday, July 6, Representative Director, President & General Manager Kenichi Sako and Representative Director, Vice President Katsuya Tomita paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Takahiro Kuse of Handa City, delivering a report on the team’s 2025–26 season activities and sharing their aspirations for the 2026–27 season.

At the beginning of the meeting, they reported on the team’s performance during the 2025–26 season. The SeaHorses Mikawa achieved 43 wins, finishing second in the Western Conference and advancing to the Championship Series. They secured home-court advantage, marking the first time in eight years that the Championship Series will be hosted in their home arena. Additionally, the team reached the final of the 101st Emperor's Cup All-Japan Basketball Championship for the first time in eight years, ultimately finishing as runners-up. Although they narrowly missed the title, it was a season that reflected steady growth for the club.

They also introduced their community contribution initiatives, expressing gratitude for the ongoing collaboration with Handa City. This includes the home game invitation program for local citizens, cooperation in operating PR booths, and the hosting of basketball clinics. The team shared their intention to further strengthen ties with the community by actively participating in local events and becoming a more familiar presence to residents of Handa City.

During the subsequent informal discussion, the mayor offered words of encouragement, stating, "We are counting on you to win the championship next season." He also expressed expectations for initiatives that would help residents, students, and commuters in Handa City feel closer to the SeaHorses Mikawa, as well as efforts to highlight players with local connections—emphasizing the importance of further developing professional sports within the community.

Moving forward, through the SeaHorses Mikawa Sustainability Project "Be With," the team will continue to promote its core values of "town-building," "people-building," and "community-building," advancing initiatives that contribute to regional revitalization.

List of Attendees

◆ Handa City Government

Mayor Takahiro Kuse

Kazuhiko Kadota, Director, Sports Division, Education Board

Katsuya Ishikawa, Sports Division, Education Board

Jun Sugaura, Director, Commerce and Industry Division, Citizens and Economy Department

Akinori Sato, Commerce and Industry Division, Citizens and Economy Department

◆ SeaHorses Mikawa

Kenichi Sako, Representative Director, President & General Manager

Katsuya Tomita, Representative Director, Vice President