"The 18th Kita-ku Kinball Sports Exchange Tournament
KITA-CUP2025"
~Kita Ward~
December 29 2025
We received a comment from Kita Ward in regards to the holding of the 18th Kita Ward Kinball Sports Exchange Tournament KITA-CUP2025.
Event overview
Date: November 23, 2020 (Sunday/Holiday)
Event hours: 9:17-XNUMX:XNUMX
Venue: Takinogawa Gymnasium (2-1-6 Nishigahara, Kita-ku)
Organized and co-organized by: Kita Ward Sports Promotion Committee, Kita Ward
Detailed information:https://sports-kita.com/2025/09/2426/
Appeal Points
[Getting Kita Ward excited! The annual Kinball Festival "KITA-CUP"]
The Kita Ward Kinball Sports Exchange Tournament, commonly known as the "KITA-CUP," is a representative sports event in Kita Ward, and this year marks its 18th anniversary. Many participants gather every year, with approximately 280 people taking part last year. The venue was filled with excitement and cheers, and heated plays were played out. As a day to share the joy and excitement of sports, it is also a place to deepen local ties.
[A tournament created by everyone! Sports promotion committee members join forces]
This tournament is sponsored by the Kita Ward Sports Promotion Committee Council and is planned and run primarily by the Kinball Sports Team. Beginner committee members have been working together as a team, with the support of veteran committee members, to prepare for the event. Kinball is a unique sport in which three teams compete against each other simultaneously using a large ball measuring approximately 1.2 meters in diameter. Its appeal lies in the fact that it can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or athletic experience, and cooperation and communication are the keys to victory. Even first-timers quickly become comfortable with each other and smiles abound.
[Anyone can participate in a variety of categories! Heated competition under KITA-CUP rules]
KITA-CUP offers four competition types depending on the age and experience of participants.
- Champion: For Kinball enthusiasts of junior high school age and above (one-handed hit)
- Challenge B: Junior high school and above teams (two-handed hits only)
- Junior: 4th to 6th grade elementary school students (only two-handed hit)
- Debut: Formed with 3-4 elementary school students in the 1st to 3rd grade. If there are 3 students, a junior high school student or older must be added (double-handed hit)
*Middle school students and above who are making their debut can also hold the position of Champion or Challenge B.
The matches will be held in accordance with the "KITA-CUP rules" and with reference to the rules of the Japan Kinball Sports Federation. Each team will play three matches, and the team with the highest score will advance to the semi-finals and finals. This is a tournament that anyone can get excited about, from beginners to experienced players!
About Kita Ward Sports Promotion Committee
The Kita Ward Sports Promotion Committee runs a variety of sports events throughout the year, including this one, with the aim of promoting health and interaction in the local community. In addition to Nordic walking, bus hikes, and various sports experience sessions, the council also offers activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, such as a badminton and table tennis area, a sports area for adults (futsal, soft volleyball, pickleball), Mölkky and boccia experience sessions, and slacklining experience sessions.
👉 For more details, please visit the Kita Ward Sports Promotion Committee website.
https://sports-kita.com/about/
Past tournaments
Last year's "17th Kita Ward Kinball Sports Exchange Tournament KITA-CUP2024" was the first full-scale resumption since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 47 teams and approximately 280 participants competing in heated matches. The venue was filled with energy, and it was a day filled with the cooperation and smiles that are unique to Kinball.
👉 You can watch the tournament here.
https://sports-kita.com/2024/12/1917/
My town's sports promotion committee interview corner
This time, the Kita Ward Sports Promotion CommitteeOsamu Nakamoto(with 15 years of experience as a sports promotion committee member) about the activities and the 18th Kita Ward Kinball Sports Exchange Tournament KITA-CUP2025.
Nakamoto-san, thank you very much!
First of all, please tell us why you decided to become a sports promotion committee member and what motivated you to do so.
After serving as PTA president at my junior high school, I served as a Kita Ward Youth Committee member for a year, and then was recommended by the Youth Committee of my district to become a Sports Promotion Committee member.
What kind of activities do you usually do as a sports promotion committee member?
At the Kita Ward Sports Promotion Committee, I am mainly in charge of Kinball sports. I run Kinball sports seminars and plan tournaments at the request of the local community and schools. I also teach Nordic walking classes and calligraphy as a regular member of the comprehensive local sports club "Comispo Takinogawa."
What do you find attractive and rewarding about being a sports promotion committee member while working as one?
I believe that sports are not just physical exercise, but something that connects people and even communities. I find it appealing that the Sports Promotion Committee can be involved as a central bridge between these two groups.
Please tell us what you are focusing on and what you are coming up with to hold the 18th Kita Ward Kinball Sports Exchange Tournament KITA-CUP2025, and how you are involved as a sports promotion committee member.
The Kita Ward Kinball Sports Exchange Tournament is open to a wide range of people of various levels and backgrounds, with divisions including a beginner elementary school division (Debut), a junior elementary school division, a challenge division for beginners to experienced players, and a champion division that follows official rules. The tournament was also started to expand sports opportunities for Kita Ward residents, so in recent years, we have been holding seminars for beginners in June and September, as well as a tournament (Mini Kita Cup) to help people get a feel for the game, and are working to increase the number of participating teams from Kita Ward.
I am in charge of Kinball sports within the Kita Ward Sports Promotion Committee, so I have been involved in the management side of the tournament since the 4th tournament, including recruiting, creating match schedules, and creating programs. I believe my next job is to pass on the know-how I and the other committee members have gained over the years to the next generation.
Lastly, please give a message to the citizens of Tokyo!
Sports are not just strength training, but physical exercise that is achieved through interaction with others. Participating in sports also broadens the circle of people. We hope that both young and old generations can stay healthy both physically and mentally through sports.
Thank you Nakamoto-san!!