Matsumi Kuroki was the person that introduced the Gateball in our country. In 1978 he went to Japan to visit his ancestors’ tomb, and visiting an old friend he had the opportunity to watch a gateball match.
He heard the rules and techniques and got really interested. After this, Kuroki participated in many trainings during his permanence in Japan and had the idea of gateball introduction at the activities of the “Clube dos Anciões do Brasil”.
The equipments were too much and too heavy, and then he thought about manufacture them in Brazil. He had just the regulation, and after an intense searching he found in 1979, an industry that would fabric the sticks and balls.
In July 17th of 1979, the first staff game was held at the “Associação de Jovens de Fukuhaku” court. In 1981, Sadamu Dan, an ex residente of the Itapeti colony, has been interested for the sport. Some interested people have come to the Fukuhaku colony in Suzano to participate the trainings and brought the regulation book. Finally, in September 11th of 1981, the “1º TORNEIO DE GATEBALL” was held in Brazil, promoted by the Itapeti ancient club Hakuju-kai.
After 1982, the gateball started to spread, increasing significantly the adepts. Since then, it became necessary to create a coordinating organ and so a meeting was convoked with the ancient clubs representatives. In July of the same year, more then 200 people gathered together at the “Associação da Colônia de Itapeti”, where the “1º Encontro de Clubes de Gate Ball do Brasil” was celebrated. The “Associação de Gate Ball do Brasil” has been founded to coordinate, spread and foment this sporting modality, having Sadamu Dan as the 1st President.