The players donned their new suits for this season and had a photoshoot.
After an opening video presentation, President Shono took the stage to give a presentation, explaining the club's vision, new players, and aspirations for the season. The party then proceeded with the host leading the event.
Next, our official sponsors took the stage, and the players presented them with pennants. Mr. Koichi Yamanashi, Representative Director, Chairman, and CEO of LIXIL Corporation, delivered a greeting on behalf of the official sponsors.
Also, Zico TD and Coach Oiwa addressed all the attendees on behalf of the team.
Afterward, an airship, just like last year, was flown in the venue.
Following this, a sake barrel breaking ceremony was held, in which the sponsors, President Shono, Zico TD, Coach Oiwa, captain Uchida, and players' association chairman Kento participated, all wearing happi coats. The toast was once again led by Mr. Fumiaki Koizumi, President and COO of Mercari, Inc.
After that, there was time for mingling, and the players, despite the limited time, took photos and signed autographs for the attendees.
During the mingling, C.R.O Nakata hosted a presentation by new players showcasing NIKE's new uniforms and NEWYORKER's official suits. Players Nago, Sekikawa, Sasaki, and Arima modeled the new uniforms. At C.R.O Nakata's request, Arima gave a spirited one-shot performance. Ito presented NEWYORKER's official suits.
▼▼Click here for the video report!▼▼
After the pennants were presented to the ad-board sponsors and official suppliers, the players re-entered. Then, Mr. Hiroshi Tomono, advisor to Nippon Steel Corporation, gave a speech as a shareholder representative, and a Sanbon-jime (three claps) was performed to pray for the team's goal of winning four titles this season.
The players and coach each bowed deeply to the attending sponsors before exiting one by one, bringing the kickoff party to a close.
