Sports people get active against war on Iraq

More than 100 people involved in sports held a meeting on April 2 to voice their opposition to the Iraq war, marking a start of their anti-war struggle.

On behalf of the organizers, sports journalist Taniguchi Gentaro said, "Sports respect the dignity of life and help strengthen friendship, solidarity, and peace." The organizers decided to have the meeting because as sports professionals, they wanted to find their own way to oppose the ongoing war, Taniguchi stated.

A woman college student who is also a soccer player said, "Different from sports, war is a matter of hating and defeating enemies. I strongly oppose war because it only encourages a cycle of hatred."

Nishimoto Takeshi, director of the Japan Workers' Alpine Federation, reported that a Pakistani alpine group sent a message in response to a statement of his organization which called on all climbers to contribute to peace.

The meeting received a message from table tennis national champion Matsushita Koji stating that he would like to take part in the anti-war actions. (end)