With around 12 months to go until we all meet in Tomokomai Japan our host has been busy getting the details set. All hotel and transport details will be going through a single agency which is currently getting the last of the details into their web site. As soon as we are made aware of the link it will be posted. Team registration will be handled via the IFBA site and the page is under construction and will be uploaded in the very near future. Again as with hotel details as soon as it is ready we will advise all. We are proud to announce that D-Gel will be the major sponsor for the event with a delegation from D-Gel recently in Tomokomai meeting with members of the host team. This exciting news will mean equipment will be available during the event.
(It was recently announced that D-Gel, www.d-gel.com , would be the official sponsor of the WBC 2014 in Japan. Here, Stephane Paradis, General Manager of D-Gel, meets with the Tomakomai Broomball Association, which is part of the Japan Broomball Association.) Other news sees the new Ice Rink well under construction and on schedule for the 2014 IFBA World Broomball Championships. Broomball is still on target to be the first event held in the new facility. (we will also be the last in the older facility right next door) The new rink is replacing the older building next door with the older facility being removed after we have gone.
The following are some observations I made while in Japan earlier this year in July during the Site Inspection.
Western food can be more expensive but my experience was that this also dependant on where you ate to a certain degree. If you love Asian food the cost is minimal (again dependant on where you eat) as banquets can be expensive and if you are not sure what it is – you have two choices.
The culture is a very polite one they do not tolerate rudeness and as the city is 99% locals we are all going to stand out and you are representing your country, your team and your friends. There may be some language difficulties and the host is looking at translators but these will be in limited supply. At this stage the airport will have information at or near the arrival halls and possibly there will be host volunteers there as well when players and team arrive, but as many will come in at all sorts of times having volunteers there may not be possible all the time. It is reasonably easy to get around anyway and I will post more details in the coming months. This one is important as it is very different to many places in the world. Cash is the preferred method of making any purchase at many stores. Redi Tellers and ATM’s are around but not always available for the cards we may have with us. Many of the ATM’s are aligned to their banks and open and close at the same time as the banks do (ie 9-5 daily). Post Offices and 7/11 stores will have the most accessible hole in the walls for travellers. Where credit cards are taken all the major ones are usually accepted. Be careful of the private clubs as they do offer fantastic services including Karoke and more private business – but at a price – a very hefty price. I believe that the local snow skiing season will not have commenced by tournaments end but there may be some snow around in the mountains which are a couple of hours away (easy access) so you never know. The weather – will be cool to cold. Check the current weather today by google as a guide. More as it comes to hand.