UTSUNOMIYA (Kyodo) -- A cricket ground that meets international standards and is located north of Tokyo is attracting visitors from Japan and abroad, raising hopes that it will serve as a hub for regional revitalization and promote a sport that has remained relatively low-profile in the country.

Naoki Alex Miyaji, 47, a former Japan team player and current CEO of the Japan Cricket Association, connected the sport with Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, by establishing the organization's local office there in 2007. The association is now headquartered in the city.

The city opened the Sano International Cricket Ground at the former site of a prefectural high school in 2018, spending around 400 million yen ($2.6 million), including aid from the national government.

In late October, the ground hosted the Embassy Cup, a match between the Japanese national team and a group of experienced foreign players. Nine foreign embassies in Japan supported the event, and visitors enjoyed trial cricket sessions and international cuisine.

"It's fun because it requires a high level of defensive strategy, given batters are allowed to hit in any direction," said the association's public relations officer, Naoaki Shimomura, 51.

With around 300 million players worldwide, cricket is set to be included in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. However, there are only about 5,800 players in Japan, and its men's and women's national teams are ranked around 40th, according to the association.

"I want to make cricket famous and popular by winning games," said Makoto Taniyama, a 29-year-old member of the national team, who moved from Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, to Sano for a better playing environment.

Miyaji has also worked to promote the sport, by organizing "cricket in English" classes in schools in the city and inviting a coach from Britain.

He expressed hope of contributing to the local community, saying, "Intercultural exchange can happen in Sano as the cricket ground brings people from Japan and from around the world."