‘Spogomi’ sport to come to Taiwan

• By Esme Yeh / Staff reporter

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The Ministry of Environment and the Nippon Foundation Spogomi Federation yesterday agreed to introduce the litter collection sport “Spogomi” to Taiwan.

The agreement was signed by federation president Max Tamazawa and Rotary International District 3522 director Lung Ming-tao (龍明道) at a news conference held at the ministry.

Tamazawa said Spogomi is an innovative sport combining athletics with environmental protection, created by federation executive director Kenichi Mamitsuka in 2008.

Officials compete in a Spogomi warm-up match in the streets surrounding the Ministry of Environment in Taipei yesterday.

Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Environment

It incorporates exercises into litter collection, under the philosophy that cities and the ocean would become cleaner as Spogomi contests are held, he said.

As about 80 percent of marine debris comes from land, removing garbage from urban environments help prevent waste from flowing into the sea, Tamazawa said, adding that that is an important issue for Taiwan and Japan given that both are surrounded by waters.

People of any age, gender and nationality can participate in Spogomi, he added.

The sport is expected to help people see environmental issues as personal problems and opportunities to take action, he said.

The first Spogomi World Cup was held in Tokyo in 2023, Tamazawa said, adding that the federation was established in April last year to further promote the sport.

Spogomi World Cup contestants played in teams of three and collected litter in a designed area — which was announced on the day of the contest — within 1.5 hours, he said.

Scores were calculated based on the types and weight of the collected garbage, Tamazawa said.

Spogomi is not just about collecting as much litter as possible, he said, adding that team strategy and teamwork spirit matter more.

Taiwan’s participation is expected to help expand the sport’s influence, and promote international cooperation and exchanges in environmental protection, Tamazawa said.

He also thanked the ministry and Rotary International for helping to promote Spogomi.

Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啟明) said he expects Spogomi events to be held nationwide over the next year.

A Spogomi Team Taiwan would be selected through national tryouts for the Spogomi World Cup in Japan in October next year, he said.

“The goal is to shape Taiwan’s environmental actions into a fresh force driving international exchanges,” Peng said.

Spogomi combines the English word “sport” and the Japanese word “gomi,” which means “rubbish.”