Lecture: "Self-talk to encourage yourself and help you perform at your best - Do your best with pep talk"

Prior to the team formation ceremony, a speech was given to the players and coaches.
Yoshizumi Iwasaki, representative director of the Japan Pep Talk Association, gave a lecture on the pep talk that Otani gave at the pre-match meeting in the WBC, which became a hot topic. Pep talk is self-talk that encourages you and leads you to your full potential, such as acceptance, recognition, action, and encouragement.

Greetings from the leader

The delegation leader, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Chairman of the Tokyo Sports Association, a public interest incorporated foundation, gave a speech.

(Excerpt)
This will be my ninth time serving as leader.
During the eight tournaments I have been the team leader in, we have won the Emperor's Cup four times and the Empress's Cup six times. Tokyo is home to such great players. If we win this year, it will be our third consecutive victory, following on from last year and the year before, so let's bring home the Emperor's Cup and the Empress's Cup again this year.
To achieve this, I want you all to achieve your personal best in each event and reach the top of the mountain called National Sports. I also want you to work hard as you see this as the first step to reach the top of many mountains, such as the Olympics, the four major championships, and the World Cup. I also want you to have a great exchange of words with the managers, coaches, and instructors and grow into athletes who can climb ever higher mountains.

Read the full text here (link to the leader's message page)

Encouraging speech

Vice Governor of Tokyo, Tsutomu Ushiota, gave a congratulatory speech.

(Excerpt)
I hope that each and every one of you will exercise your full potential with pride and confidence as a representative of Tokyo. Tokyo will continue to support athletes and those involved in the sport who are striving to improve their competitive abilities through various initiatives, such as the National Sports Festival and strengthening the candidates for the Japanese national team.
I sincerely hope that as many of you as possible will do well in international competitions and other events.

Awarding of the team flag

The team flag was presented to flag bearer Kimura Mitsuki (boys' volleyball) by General Manager Yamamoto.

Statement of determination

A statement of determination was made by Tamasa Nakayama (girls' canoe sprint athlete), a graduate of Tokyo's top athlete discovery and development program.

(Excerpt)
Aiming to become top athletes, we have been training hard every day with the support of many people involved, and as a result, we are proud to be able to represent Tokyo at the National Sports Festival and compete with athletes from all over the country on this big stage. In Saga, we, the team, will fully demonstrate the results of our daily training and fight with passion, hoping to impress many people.

An encouraging performance

The Nippon Sport Science University cheerleading squad leader, cheerleaders, and brass band members gave a performance of encouragement.

Please support the Tokyo team.