President Sergii Bubka and his team have travelled to the Kansai region of Japan for a working visit to review preparations for the World Masters Games 2027, meeting with organisers, local stakeholders, and key partners ahead of the event.
A region ready to welcome the world
With the World Masters Games 2027 now firmly on the horizon, World Masters Sport made the journey to the Kansai region for a first-hand assessment of how preparations are progressing. The visit offers a valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face with the local organising committee, discuss timelines and delivery milestones, and experience the enthusiasm and ambition that the region is bringing to one of the world’s largest multi-sport events.
The delegation, comprising President Sergii Bubka, Board Member Makoto Chogahara, CEO Jens Holm, Chief of President’s Office & Development Director Thomas Buza, Sports Director Samantha Hayward and Marketing & Communications Director Kirsty van Peer engaged directly with event stakeholders across a range of organisational work streams, from venue readiness and athlete services to communications and community engagement.
The Games are expected to attract athletes from every continent, with registrations already reflecting remarkable international demand. For both World Masters Sport and the Organising Committee, the visit underlines the scale of what is being planned, and the shared commitment required to deliver it.
Engaging partners: a visit to Mizuno headquarters
On the first day of the trip was a visit to the headquarters of Mizuno in Osaka, where the Leadership of the delegation met with President Akito Mizuno and his team. Mizuno is one of the official partners of the World Masters Games 2027 and brings with it a distinguished heritage as one of Japan’s most respected sporting goods companies, with a global track record of supporting athletes and major sporting events.
The meeting provided a forum to discuss preparations for the Games, explore ideas for future collaboration, and identify opportunities to further advance the global masters sport movement. The delegation was also given a guided tour of Mizuno’s development facilities, a chance to see first-hand the innovation and craftsmanship that underpin the company’s commitment to sporting excellence.
World Masters Sport extends its sincere thanks to Board Member Makoto Chogahara for his invaluable role in arranging the visit and helping to ensure its success.
Strong momentum, record registrations
The visit took place against a backdrop of exceptional interest in the World Masters Games 2027. With more than 30,000 participants already registered, the upcoming Games are generating excitement across the global masters sport community, and the conversations held during this visit only reinforced that energy.
“Seeing the preparations for the World Masters Games 2027 firsthand and meeting with dedicated partners such as Mizuno gives us great confidence in what lies ahead,” said Sergii Bubka, World Masters Sport President. “The enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment we have experienced in the Kansai region are truly inspiring. The World Masters Games are much more than a sporting event. They are a celebration of lifelong participation, friendship, and the positive impact that sport can have on individuals and communities. With more than 30,000 participants already registered, we can clearly see the excitement building around the world. We look forward to welcoming athletes from every continent to Japan in 2027 and creating an unforgettable experience together with our partners, volunteers, and the local organising committee.”
Building towards 2027
This inspection visit forms part of World Masters Sport’s ongoing program of engagement with partners and host communities in the lead-up to the Games. It follows the successful Open Masters Games held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, an event that demonstrated the growing reach and vitality of masters sport, and reflects the organisation’s excitement that the World Masters Games 2027 in Kansai will be an exceptional edition of this landmark event.
Work continues across all fronts, and World Masters Sport looks forward to maintaining its close partnership with the local organising committee, Mizuno and all stakeholders as momentum builds toward what promises to be one of the most memorable World Masters Games to date.
