[Ukyo in Action] Kyoto Hannaryz
Interviewers/Authors: Niklaus Weigelt, Ryota Harada
Ms. Tomoka Ogo (Sales Representative)
Kyoto Hannaryz is a Kyoto-based team belonging to the Japanese men’s professional basketball league “B LEAGUE”. Ms. Tomoka Ogo, who is in charge of sales at Kyoto Hannaryz, gave us a valuable opportunity to interview her about the appeal of the team and its connection with Ukyo Ward.
― According to the Kyoto Hannaryz website, the team was founded in 2008. Who made the decision to set it up in Kyoto? Also, please tell us the origins of the team’s name.
Ms. Ogo: The parent company of this team is called Arkray, and to coincide with celebrations marking its 50-year anniversary in 2008, it was decided that a new project should be launched, and that project was Kyoto Hannaryz. The team was set up to participate in the “bj League”, and the team’s name comes from “hannari“, a word in the Kyoto dialect, which means “elegant, lively but restrained”.
― You are in charge of sales at Kyoto Hannaryz. What exactly do you do?
Ms. Ogo: My main job is to deal with our sponsors, as sponsorship makes up the majority of our revenue. Generally, basketball teams have three main sources of income: sponsorship, ticket sales, and merchandise. Frankly speaking, since it is the off-season now, meetings with, and proposals to, sponsor companies are largely being conducted in preparation for next season. In addition to this, I also do a lot of on-site work such as setting up, and the issuing of tickets on match days.
― Is there any special meaning attached to the logo or uniform of Kyoto Hannaryz?
Ms. Ogo: Being Kyoto based, and to show fighting spirit, the design is actually based on the famous samurai group The Shinsengumi.
― What do you think is the most appealing aspect of Kyoto Hannaryz?
Ms. Ogo: In terms of basketball as a whole, I think it is the relative closeness to the people and the speed of the players. The appeal of Kyoto Hannaryz as a team, however, is that we can see a complete show that is very representative of Kyoto, as well as the sight of our young players working hard and facing up to strong opponents.
― We would like to ask about Kyoto Hannaryz’s connection with Ukyo Ward. How do you engage with the local community?
Ms. Ogo: Last season it was difficult to do much due to the influence of the Coronavirus, but before this we often used to provide elementary and junior high school students of Ukyo Ward with free tickets to games. Also, employees from 11 post offices in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto wore Hannaryz T-shirts in their workplace. In addition, in collaboration with Nishkyogoku shopping district, we created Coronavirus infection prevention posters using characters from Kyoto Hannaryz, and gave clear files and eco-bags as presents to 211 students at 3 elementary schools in Ukyo Ward.
― What role do you think Kyoto Hannaryz will play in the region in the future?
Ms. Ogo: As a sports team, it is of course important to win and please the fans, but the main reason this team exists is to cheer up and encourage the city of Kyoto and its citizens. Therefore, from now, we would like to carry out activities to help solve problems in the area, and visit local schools and hospitals.
― We think you have had to face a lot of difficulties amid the Coronavirus crisis. For the management of a sports team, the support of fans must be indispensable. Has such a situation made you appreciate the importance of your fans more?
Ms. Ogo: It was really tough last season. As for management, the hardest part was not being able to hold games. Even when it was possible, it was difficult because the income from ticket sales was greatly reduced due to entrance restrictions. Also, when we played a no-spectator game against the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, there was no applause or cheering from the fans, so it felt more like a practice game. Once again, I feel that the cheers and applause of the fans would have been a really big help.
― Do you have any words of advice for the students at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies?
Ms. Ogo: Right now, we are in a very difficult situation with the disease, but before you start job hunting, think carefully and try to find something that interests you. If you have something in mind already, try to dig a little deeper into it. If you don’t have any real idea, keep trying various experiences until you find one. When you’re out in mainstream society, you may experience a lot of hard times, but you can still work hard on things that interest you and try to overcome your problems. Learn to live your own life!
