The courtesy visit to Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa began with TD Zico's greeting: "I hope you achieve many successes as governor. I am in Kashima, so please feel free to call on me if there's anything."
"It's wonderful to see the region thriving. The Olympics will be held in 2020, and from the time Antlers was founded, we've aimed to revitalize the region. In 2016, we reached second place in the FIFA Club World Cup, and Antlers became synonymous with Kashima. I am filled with pride to have contributed to us becoming such a presence," TD Zico said.
The conversation then turned to the Olympics. TD Zico said, "In 2016, the Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, my hometown, and the city was revitalized. With the Olympics being held in Japan in 2020, I hope to be able to help with regional revitalization in various ways, and I am deeply happy that it can be held. The Olympics are a sports festival even greater than the World Cup. For the people of the prefecture, it's an opportunity to support and experience the excitement of not just football, but various sports. I hope that many prefectural residents can experience a lot of excitement."
Governor Oigawa responded with words of encouragement, saying, "For the prefectural residents to get excited, Antlers absolutely must win. The fact that things are looking up and getting exciting now is thanks to TD Zico. I have high hopes for you!"
Finally, TD Zico said, "I have a request. Please come to the stadium anytime. I hope we can adjust our schedules and watch a match together," and then and there, he presented Governor Oigawa with a signed uniform and this season's official suit tie.
Following the visit to the Governor, he paid courtesy calls to Vice Governors Shun Onodera and Yoshimasa Uno, presenting them with signed TD Zico uniforms and ties, just as he had for the Governor, before leaving the Ibaraki Prefectural Office.
Ibaraki Prefectural Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa
After the courtesy visit to the Governor, he was interviewed by the media.
Vice Governor Shun Onodera, TD Zico, and President Shono
Vice Governor Yoshimasa Uno, TD Zico, and President Shono