The Japanese Cultural Grassroots Project (JCGP) for gymnastics course will have its soft opening on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines developmental gym inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Spearheaded by Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, who was responsible for helping Carlos Yulo become a two-time world champion, the program offers courses for pre-school, elementary, high school, parent with toddlers, developmental gymnasts, as well those for all ages including seniors, after undergoing the proper evaluation of their capabilities and skill levels.

“Gymnastics is the foundation of virtually all sports and we want everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy it at a very young level so they can begin a healthy lifestyle and, hopefully, we get to identify promising athletes with our courses,” said Kugimiya of the project.

Unknown to many, it was Kugimiya, with the help of the Japanese embassy in the Philippines, who played a vital role in the donation of the Japanese government Olympic-standard equipment to GAP led by its president Cynthia Carrion.

These were the same equipment that had been set up in the GAP developmental gym that Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa turned over to Carrion last March, according to the coach.   

The JCGP was commemorated last March 17 where it focuses on social and technological assistance of Japan to Philippine sports and recreation.