Yoshiko Hara, 69, first head of the Fukushima Prefectural FID Basketball Federation, is a pioneer in creating opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to enjoy basketball in Fukushima Prefecture.

¡°If you do it, you can do it,¡± Hara tells players in her Fukushima Club basketball team. About 10 members in the club practice with Hara once a week at a community center in the city of Fukushima.

¡°You¡¯re getting better one step at a time. Don¡¯t give up!¡± she encourages the members, who are of different ages and skills, including an experienced male office worker and a schoolgirl practicing dribbling at a beginner level.