Toyota Antelopes Okinawa City Training Camp Promotes Sports Appeal Through Community Exchange

The training camp in Okinawa City by Toyota Industries Antelopes, a team belonging to the Women's Japan Basketball League (WJBL), Japan's top women's basketball league, which was hosted by Okinawa Arena Co., Ltd. as its own initiative, concluded on July 5, 2026 (Sun).

For six days, training was conducted with Okinawa Arena as the base, not only strengthening the team for the upcoming season but also engaging in community exchange activities in collaboration with Okinawa City.

Basketball Clinic Held for Elementary and Junior High School Students in Okinawa City

During the training camp, in cooperation with the Okinawa City Tourism and Sports Promotion Division and the Okinawa City Sports Association, a clinic was held for girls' basketball clubs active in the city.

July 4 (Sat)

24 elementary school students belonging to girls' mini-basketball teams in Okinawa City

July 5 (Sun)

30 junior high school students belonging to girls' basketball clubs in Okinawa City

In the clinic, Toyota Industries Antelopes players and staff provided direct instruction on fundamental techniques and practical training. The children spent time filled with smiles while experiencing top-level play up close.

Participants shared their thoughts, such as:

"It was so much fun because the players spoke to each of us individually. I want to practice more and try to meet you again."

"It felt like a dream to play basketball with players I've only seen on TV. I will try what I learned today with my team."

These comments indicate that it was a very valuable experience for the children.

Practice Sessions Open to Neighborhood Association Members

Furthermore, with the cooperation of the Okinawa City Citizen Affairs Division, practice sessions were opened for viewing by members of neighborhood associations in the city. By allowing them to observe the practice of a top domestic league team, which they rarely have the opportunity to see, it helped them feel closer to sports and created an opportunity for exchange between local residents and top athletes.

Aiming for Regional Revitalization Through Sports

In addition to the community activities of the Ryukyu Golden Kings, who are based in Okinawa City with Okinawa Arena as their home arena, it has been a highly significant initiative from the perspective of regional revitalization through sports that teams and clubs belonging to top domestic leagues use Okinawa City as a base for training camps and training, creating opportunities for interaction with the citizens of Okinawa City as seen in this case.

Okinawa Arena Co., Ltd. not only manages and operates its facilities as a designated manager but also promotes its own business activities, encouraging the attraction of sports teams and various events.

Moving forward, we will continue to actively develop opportunities to experience top-level sports and engage in community contribution activities, while also working with Okinawa City and related organizations to promote sports tourism, revitalize the local economy, and create an arena that is loved by its citizens.