Osaka federation apologizes after entry error bars 8 students from national meet

Eight junior high and high school athletes from Osaka will miss a national track and field competition due to an entry error by the Osaka Junior High School Athletic Federation, which has apologized and filed for emergency arbitration. The federation mistakenly believed the entry deadline was September 28 instead of September 24, and a lack of internal confirmation procedures led to the missed deadline. It has acknowledged organizational negligence and apologized to the athletes and their families. The federation is seeking arbitration from the Japan Sports Arbitration Board and considering a substitute competition. It has also proposed prevention measures, including dual-person entry checks and sharing annual schedules.