Caption: Japan Football Association Chairman Kozo Tajima Internet picture
The news that Japan Football Association Chairman Tajima Kozo was infected with the new coronavirus last month shocked the whole country. As soon as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated at the G7 summit that "as proof that mankind has overcome the new coronavirus, the Tokyo Olympics will be realized in a complete form," the vice chairman of the Japanese Olympic Committee and chairman of the Japan Football Association was knocked down by the virus, leaving Japan People are beginning to understand the dire challenges they face. But Tajima, 62, recovered as quickly as possible. Nothing can give the Japanese people more confidence in defeating the epidemic than seeing him return to the court and put in work.
Disclosure of illness
As a senior official in the Japanese sports industry and the top leader of the Japan Football Association, Kozo Tajima immediately announced his illness after the nucleic acid test report was positive, and used the logical reasoning that the Japanese are good at to inform the public of the possible source and route of infection.
Caption: Internet picture of Kozo Tajima at work
Tajima speculated that he was probably infected when he went to the Netherlands to attend the UEFA conference at the end of February. "At that time, Europe had almost no vigilance against the virus, and our meeting schedule was very intensive. , and in a very closed environment." After returning to China, Tajima underwent multiple nucleic acid tests, and the first two tests were negative. After that, his temperature rose to 37.5 degrees Celsius, and he learned that Serbian Football Association Chairman Coates and Vice Chairman Pantrich all tested positive for the new coronavirus. During the conference, Tajima had close contact with the two. At that time, the latest test results had not yet come out, and Tajima had a premonition that he was likely to be infected. "I have been replaying it in my mind. The places I have been and the people I have met during this period may have infected people with the virus."
Family and friends never expected Tajima to be infected with the virus. The former player was physically strong and had no underlying diseases. They were as shocked as Tajima when they learned the bad news. After being shocked, Tajima made an admirable decision, "As a public figure, I must assume corresponding social responsibilities and let people know about my illness. At the same time, I must also contact the people I have been in close contact with these days as soon as possible to let them know." They knew I was infected."
After facing
, it was a desperate fight against the virus. The number of deaths from COVID-19 in Japan continues to rise, and Tajima doesn't know what fate awaits him. He asked the attending doctor about the cure plan, but the answer he got was: "If the ventilator can't save you, you can only rely on your own immunity in the end. There is no other way." He was sent to the isolation ward. In the cramped ward, the window I can't open it, and it's not only the air but my soul that is suffocated. In the first week after being admitted to the hospital, Tajima had almost no appetite. He just stuffed three kinds of pills into his mouth in turn, and received up to 12 hours of infusion treatment every day. "For the first time, I felt that my life was threatened."
Picture caption: Tian Network map of Kozo Shima and his work team
Ken Shimura are in the same hospital as him. A few days later, the well-known Japanese comedy star died of COVID-19 at the age of 70. Tajima could hardly accept this reality. "Three days ago, he (Shimura Ken) was greeting me outside the window." He immediately called his family: If he followed in Shimura Ken's footsteps, he would be cremated directly. "This is a kind of Infectious diseases. I told them the doctor's opinion that after death, the body must be cremated before they can see me." Tajima explained the funeral.
Seventeen days after being admitted to the hospital, good news came: Tajima’s nucleic acid test turned negative, which meant that he relied on his own immunity to resist the virus. Tajima remembers clearly that on the day he started to have a fever, it snowed in Tokyo in March. On the day he walked out of the isolation ward, the sky was clear and he took a deep breath: "I'm back."
Returned to work immediately
Just like when he was diagnosed, Tajima immediately announced the news of his recovery to the public, and also Tell the truth about his battle with the virus. In fact, 4 days after being admitted to the hospital, he felt that his physical condition was improving. "The body temperature has dropped, and there is no discomfort. I am taking medicine and undergoing examinations. I would like to thank the medical staff for giving me the belief in active treatment.""He also insists on watching TV news every day to understand the development of the epidemic and the Japanese government's response. Tajima told the Japanese people, "In the face of the virus, what we have to do now is to work hard to defeat it. Life comes first. As long as we are alive and economic and sporting activity can resume later, we must act responsibly. "
Caption: Tajima Kozo and Cai Zhenhua's photo online picture
After being discharged from the hospital, Tajima returned to work without any time to adjust. When he returned to the Football Association, the first thing he did was to issue a statement and apologize to the public: "First of all, because The Japan Football Association expresses its deep apologies for the inconvenience and concern caused by the virus to everyone. "After apologizing, Tajima announced several burden reduction measures aimed at ensuring the operation of football clubs, the income of coaches, and the enthusiasm of children to participate in football during the epidemic, and to help as much as possible those who cannot afford to register due to reduced income. Fei’s child.
After learning about Tajima’s decision, the public applauded him for returning to work right after he was discharged from the hospital. Tajima himself did not feel anything special. He explained, “As a senior executive, I feel more satisfied than ever. They all have more responsibilities, so I must return to work immediately and provide 10 times or even 100 times my support. The sports world should emphasize the priority of controlling infections. "The chairman of the Japan Football Association, who has defeated the new crown pneumonia, said that his biggest wish now is that "the epidemic situation in Japan and around the world will improve soon, and everyone can play football freely"!
is determined to reform
Playing football freely, this is what Tajima Kozo brought about the biggest change in Japanese football culture after becoming the chairman of the Japan Football Association.
In January 2016, Kozo Tajima, then FIFA executive committee member and vice chairman of the Japan Football Association, was elected as the new chairman of the Japan Football Association. Inviting Takeshi Okada and Hiroshi Nishino to serve as vice presidents of the Football Association and serving as right-hand men, Tajima confidently declared: "I hope we can truly change Japanese football. "
Caption: Tajima Kozo and Halilhodzic's online picture
Speaking of changes, what fans are talking about is the magical decision of the Japanese team to change coaches before the 2018 World Cup in Russia . Changing coaches before a competition has always been a taboo for military strategists. , but Tajima insisted on removing Halilhodzic and replaced Nishino Roshi, who had never coached the national team. After learning of the coaching change, public opinion in Japan questioned the Football Association's decision and thought it was very stupid because Halilhodzic had already led the team. It took three years to prepare for the World Cup, but Tajima responded: "I made a decision, but it is not a self-righteous decision. "
Tajima, who has a good-natured character, has a resolute drive in football. With three weeks left before the deadline for submitting the World Cup roster, he went to Europe to interview including Shinji Kagawa, , Makoto Hasebe, Many international players, including Maya Yoshida, explained in person the circumstances surrounding Halilhodzic's lightning dismissal. This is the first time in the history of Japanese football that a top official from the Japan Football Association went to the club where the player played.
Caption: Nishino Rōzen Sports. Figure
As for choosing Nishino Rō, Tajima was by no means acting recklessly, but was placing public hopes for reform on the latter. Because they were inspecting players in Frankfurt, Germany, Tajima and Nishino Rō stayed in the same hotel for two days, so he had some doubts. Time calmly exchanged views with the latter. "Usually Japanese coaches have many worries and rarely act rashly, so I told him (Nishino Rō), just let go and don't have any worries. Regarding Japan's World Cup prospects, Tajima said: "Whether it can happen or not is another matter." The important thing is to always aim for the highest goal. I hope he will not compromise or settle for second best. "
Japanese culture has always prided itself on being reserved and restrained. As the chairman of the Football Association, Tajima's statement shocked the entire island country. However, he has served as technical committee chairman, executive director and chairman of the Japan Football Association. Tajima has worked with him Troussier , Osim and Halilhodzic are stubborn and individual coaches, he knows very well that only Nishino Lang does not compromise, Japanese football has the opportunity to establish its own flag in the international football world.
Caption: In the 2018 World Cup, the Japanese team advanced to the knockout rounds IC picture
As a result, although they lost consecutive warm-up matches, under the leadership of Nishino Lang, the Japanese team broke out of Group F, which was full of strong teams, and almost eliminated the final third place The Belgian team advanced to the top 8, creating the best record in the World Cup. In this classic 1/8 final, the Japanese team scored 2 goals in 5 minutes in the second half. With a smooth and creative attack, Shibazaki Take and Inui vividly presented Japanese football talents based on technology to fans around the world. before. Among the audience, the most excited person was naturally the promoter behind the scenes, Tajima Kozo. This is not over yet. The Japanese team left a card "Thank you" written in Russian in the locker room, once again moving fans around the world to the new look of Japanese football brought by Tajima. After the game, Tajima updated his column on the Football Association's official website. The leader who proposed Japan's plan to win the World Cup in 2050 said calmly: "Our technical team is already doing the analysis and strength comparison of the game." (Xinmin Evening News chief reporter Jin Lei)
