Japanese social activist Nozomu Hagihara (Nono) is set to embark on an extraordinary challenge — a 2,000-kilometer solo dribbling journey across India, starting from March 3, 2025. His mission: to inspire children across India to take on challenges and believe in their potential.
The journey will commence in Kolkata and pass through Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and finally New Delhi, where he will be welcomed at the Embassy of Japan in India. The ambitious project will take 90 days to complete, and Nono is working to secure support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Embassy of Japan in India. Discussions are ongoing to ensure their endorsement and collaboration.
As the founder of FC Nono, a Section 8 company 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.
Throughout the journey, Nono 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.
This inspiring journey has attracted attention from major media organizations in both Japan and India, ensuring that the story reaches a wide audience and strengthens India-Japan relations.
Additionally, Nono 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.
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.
Year 2021 (Establishment of FC Nono)
After 2 Years (since the Establishment)
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.
“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.
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.
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)
For bank transfers, please contact our India representative at the details above.
Media Contact
Email: teamfcnono@gmail.com
Phone: +91 96546 07896
Website: https://www.fcnono.com/en
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