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Community
New Courts and Connections in Kochi
Sports Exchange between Kochi Prefectural Board of Education and Singapore Sports School
Student-athletes from the Badminton Academy and Table Tennis Academy travelled to Japan from 17 to 22 August 2026 for the annual Kochi Prefectural Board of Education exchange programme, a long-running partnership since 2017 that provides opportunities to train, spar and learn alongside their Japanese counterparts. Through the reciprocal exchange, student-athletes from Singapore and Kochi take turns visiting each other's country, gaining valuable competitive and cultural experiences.
Beyond training and friendly matches, the student-athletes immersed themselves in Japanese culture through activities such as sightseeing, archery and interactions with local students. The experience also allowed them to build international friendships and gain new perspectives both on and off the court.
For Secondary 2 shuttler Yeoh Kai Jie, one of the most memorable takeaways was witnessing the discipline and focus of the Japanese student-athletes. "The Kochi–Japan Exchange Program was a wonderful and memorable experience. Through badminton, I had the opportunity to interact with Japanese students, learn new techniques, and build friendships. Apart from badminton, I experienced many exciting activities. I tried archery, went shopping, explored beautiful natural surroundings, and enjoyed a refreshing walk to a waterfall. Visiting the Kochi Castle and museum also helped me learn more about Japan's rich history and culture. Overall, the exchange programme was a memorable journey that gave me new experiences, friendships, and a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture."
Kai Jie also reflected on the lessons he learned from observing the Japanese student-athletes during training.
"One of my biggest takeaways from the Kochi exchange was their discipline and focus during training. Even when they were tired, they continued to give their best and stayed focused. Their style of play was also very smooth, fast and unpredictable, which made it difficult to anticipate their shots. From them, I learnt that having the right mindset is just as important as skill. I want to improve my discipline, stay focused even when I am tired, and become more unpredictable and adaptable in my own style of play."
Student-athletes from the Badminton Academy and Table Tennis Academy travelled to Japan from 17 to 22 August 2026 for the annual Kochi Prefectural Board of Education exchange programme, a long-running partnership since 2017 that provides opportunities to train, spar and learn alongside their Japanese counterparts. Through the reciprocal exchange, student-athletes from Singapore and Kochi take turns visiting each other's country, gaining valuable competitive and cultural experiences.
Beyond training and friendly matches, the student-athletes immersed themselves in Japanese culture through activities such as sightseeing, archery and interactions with local students. The experience also allowed them to build international friendships and gain new perspectives both on and off the court.
For Secondary 2 shuttler Yeoh Kai Jie, one of the most memorable takeaways was witnessing the discipline and focus of the Japanese student-athletes. "The Kochi–Japan Exchange Program was a wonderful and memorable experience. Through badminton, I had the opportunity to interact with Japanese students, learn new techniques, and build friendships. Apart from badminton, I experienced many exciting activities. I tried archery, went shopping, explored beautiful natural surroundings, and enjoyed a refreshing walk to a waterfall. Visiting the Kochi Castle and museum also helped me learn more about Japan's rich history and culture. Overall, the exchange programme was a memorable journey that gave me new experiences, friendships, and a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture."
Kai Jie also reflected on the lessons he learned from observing the Japanese student-athletes during training.
"One of my biggest takeaways from the Kochi exchange was their discipline and focus during training. Even when they were tired, they continued to give their best and stayed focused. Their style of play was also very smooth, fast and unpredictable, which made it difficult to anticipate their shots. From them, I learnt that having the right mindset is just as important as skill. I want to improve my discipline, stay focused even when I am tired, and become more unpredictable and adaptable in my own style of play."