2020 Olympics host venue debate over women members branded ‘a nuisance’

The situation regarding whether to admit women members at the 2020 Olympics host venue in Tokyo has been branded ‘a nuisance’ by the head of its board of directors.

Kasumigaseki Country Club, a private facility on the outskirts of the Japanese capital, refuses to allow women to be members and play on Sundays.

That this situation has developed is a nuisance for us
- Kiichi Kamura

The club has come under fire from the International Olympic Committee, Japan Golf Council and Tokyo Olympic Organising Committee for its stance, with calls to move the tournament to a more inclusive venue.

But while the bodies have urged the club to reconsider its policy, a recent vote proposing the end of the ban had to be postponed, with the 15-man board unable to get the unanimous vote needed to change the ruling.

“That this situation has developed is a nuisance for us, it’s really perplexing,” board chairman Kiichi Kamura told Japanese media.

Both men’s and women’s tournaments are currently scheduled to be held at the club in 2020, following the return of the sport to the Summer Games at last year’s Rio Olympics.