Tokyo, August 21, 2006: The friendship between Japan and Serbia and Montenegro has produced a special souvenir ahead of the FIVB World Championships: a pin badge to celebrate the occasion.
The badge, which features the flags of the two countries below the official World Championships logo, was unveiled at a function in Belgrade recently.
The Japan men's team was in town for their World League matches with Serbia and Montenegro, and the Japanese Ambassador in Belgrade, Tadashi Nagai, hosted delegations from both national federations.
The president of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia and Montenegro, Aleksandar Boricic, presented the first pin badge to Mr. Nagai.
"This is a continuation of our excellent cooperation," said Mr. Boricic. "This is the right place to promote our pin badge for the 2006 World Championships, with the flags of our two countries under the official logo. I hope that both teams will have a lot of success in the upcoming event."
Mr. Nagai praised the "spirit of fair play" and "wonderful atmosphere" in which the matches between the two teams had been played.
The Serbia and Montenegro delegation was comprised of Mr. Boricic, secretary general Slobodan Milosevic, head coach Ljuba Travica and fromer national team player Zarko Petrovic.
Japan's team manager, Hideo Hagiwara, presented souvenirs to Mr. Boricic and received a set of pins for the Japan team.
Mr. Tadashi Nagai, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan in Belgrade and Alexandar Boricic
Mr. Tadashi Nagai, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan in Belgrade and Alexandar Boricic
Mr. Tadashi Nagai, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan in Belgrade and Alexandar Boricic
Ljuba Travica, Head Coach of Serbia and Montenegro and Tatsuya Ueta, Head Coach of Japan
