Japanese youth dribbles 2000 kms from Kolkata to Delhi to inspire youth

New Delhi, India – The 31-year old Japanese soccer enthusiast and social activist Nozomu Hagihara, also known as ‘Nono’ has embarked on an extraordinary challenge — a 2,000-kilometer solo dribbling journey from Kolkata to New Delhi on March 3. Braving tough weather, pollution, and other adverse conditions, his journey will pass through Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and finally New Delhi in the middle of May, when he plans to reach the Embassy of Japan.

His long journey took off from the Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata in the presence of Consul-General NAKAGAWA Koichi. In New Delhi, Ambassador of Japan in India ONO Keiichi is likely to receive him in May at the embassy this year.

Throughout the journey, Nono not only plans to conduct about 50 football workshops in villages along the route, focusing on gender equality, hygiene, and nutrition, and also to make this initiative a charity campaign to fund his project of taking 20-30 children from Bihar to Japan for a sports exchange program. Additionally, this challenge is also an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dribbling distance, marking a historic milestone in sports and social impact. Nono’s mission is to inspire children across India to take on challenges and believe in their potential.

Nono initially landed in Bodhgaya as a humanitarian worker of an International NGO in 2020 to manage rural development programs against poverty in India. After leaving his first job at Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, he established FC Nono soccer team in 2021 for the villager children.

He currently works with Tokyo-based Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation, a Japanese human resources company. Under the brand name Connect Job, the company supports employment of talented individuals from India in Japan.

While he is supporting the growth of rural youth through sports in Kolkata-New Delhi project, he is also dedicated to shaping the future of young people in India through his professional work.

Nono has a rich football player experience of 19+ years throughout most of his life including playing for the Ritsumeikan University Soccer Club and J-league Oita Trinita U-18 division.

As the founder of FC Nono, Non founded NOZOMU FOUNDATION – a Section-8 company in India dedicated to providing underprivileged children in rural Bihar with opportunities through sports, Nono sees this challenge as a way to motivate young people to embrace perseverance and self-belief.

Challenges during 2000-km journey:

Weather conditions: Average temperature 33-43 degree Celsius

Food: Most of  roadside eateries (Bhabas) serving food in unhygienic conditions

Japanese food: Not available

Healthcare facilities: Since meandering through rural area, no good hospitals for foreigners

Accommodation: Most of the hotels/guesthouses don’t qualify to board foreigners

Safety & Security: Since sleeping in tents/sleeping bags, no protection from miscreants/robbers

“Throughout the journey, I will conduct football workshops in villages along the route, focusing on gender equality, hygiene, and nutrition. These sessions aim to empower children, especially girls, by promoting important life skills through sports. Just as the Father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, once walked 385 kilometers with his countrymen during the Salt March, someone must take action to spark a positive social movement. I want to dedicate myself in my own way for the future of India’s children, the promotion of health, and gender equality,” said Nono.

Additionally, he is engaged in discussions with UNICEF India, collaborating with public institutions to maximize the campaign’s positive impact across India.

In January 2025, Nono met with Ambassador George at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, where he received words of support and encouragement for the initiative.

He said, “Furthermore, this dribbling challenge serves as a charity campaign to fund an initiative that will bring 20-30 children from Bihar to Japan for a sports exchange program. This opportunity will allow these children to experience new cultures, develop their football skills, and inspire future generations.”

Additionally, this challenge is also an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dribbling distance, marking a historic milestone in sports and social impact. Previously in 2023, an Australian set the record by dribbling on a 337 km route.

“We want to show children that no challenge is too big to overcome. This journey is not just about sports — it’s about resilience, hope, and inspiring the next generation to dream big. Just as Mahatma Gandhi led the Salt March to bring about societal change, I believe that when someone paves the way for a better future, adults must take action and physically demonstrate the change they wish to see in society,” said Nono.

Football and Career Paths:

2009: J-league Oita Trinita U-18 player

2012: Ritsumeikan University Soccer Club

2016: Toyota Motor Corporation

2019: World Relief Seattle (Internship)

2020: Nippon International Co-operation for Community Development overseas staff (NGO)

2021: Founded FC Nono

2022: Ernst & Young India

2024 to Present: Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation

Call for Sponsors & Supporters: To maximize the reach and impact of this initiative, Nono is inviting Indian businesses and individuals to join as sponsors. Interested parties can contribute towards supporting the logistics, outreach activities, and community engagement initiatives along the journey. Currently Japanese airlines company All Nippon Airways (ANA) and QUARTET Communications has lent their support as sponsors.

For sponsorship opportunities and inquiries, please contact:

Nozomu Hagihara (Nono) / Piyush Jain (Director)

Email: teamfcnono@gmail.com

Phone: +91 96546 07896

Website: https://www.fcnono.com/en

Individual Donations

If you would like to make a personal donation, please visit the link below.

(Credit card payments accepted)

https://syncable.biz/en/associate/fcnono2021/donate

Also please visit the UPI link below for NOZOMU FOUNDATION (registered section 8 company).

UPI ID : nozomu@sbi