[Challenge Report] Founder of FC Nono Departed from Kolkata, the “Mecca of Football” in India for the 2000 km Solo Dribble Challenge!

19 hours ago3 min read

On March 3, 2025, Founder of FC Nono Nozomu Hagihara (Nono) embarked on a solo 2000km dribbling challenge across India from Kolkata, West Bengal!

Some sponsors came all the way from Japan to watch Nono's departure!

Overview of the Dribble Challenge

Challenger: Nozomu Hagihara, Founder & Representative of FC Nono

Support Crew: 4 Indian PR members

Departure Date & Location: March 3, 2025, The LaLit Great Eastern Kolkata

Via: Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh

Estimated Arrival Date & Location: May 15, 2025, Embassy of Japan in India (New Delhi)

Estimated Duration: 90 days

Estimated Distance: Approx. 2000km

Nono’s Scheduled Dribbling Rout in India

Sponsors of This Project

We extend our sincere gratitude to the following companies and individual who have generously sponsored this challenge.

New Sponsors:

QUARTET COMMUNICATIONS Co.,Ltd.

“I believe that the unprecedented challenge of dribbling 2,000 km across India will inspire the children of India with courage and serve as a bridge between Japan and India,” says TSUTSUMI Daisuke, Representative Director.

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS Co., Ltd.

“I respect Mr. Hagihara's passion for solving social issues and his efforts to inspire children with courage and dreams. I sincerely wish him success,” says KATAGIRI Tsuneya, Country Manager of India and General Manager of Delhi Office.

Tokisetsu Co., Ltd.

"We wholeheartedly support the incredible activities of FC Nono under our mission: "Empowering every challenge from the sky and paving the way for the future." We are deeply inspired and resonate with your commitment to giving children dreams and hope through sports. As former university soccer teammates, I am truly grateful that we can once again connect through a shared vision. We will continue to fully support your challenges, ensuring they lead to a bright and promising future,” says HIRAOKA Yuki, Representative Director.

Fun Creative LLC

"This dribble challenge creates the next goal,” say HIROKI Daisuke and OUCHI Takayuki, Representative Partners.

Mr. Takeshi Seo

”Cherish yourself, your family, and your friends! May new friends join you! May you have a great time! Bon Voyage!”

Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation

Ongoing Sponsors:

ROOKIE Co., Ltd.

"I wholeheartedly support Mr. Hagihara's challenge of tackling "child support through sports" head-on in the distant land of India, even in a small way. I deeply respect his unprecedented challenge of dribbling 2,000 km across India on his own. Hang in there!!” says YAMAUCHI Masato, Representative Director.

We continue to seek sponsors and individual donors to support post-challenge documentary production, broadcasting in Japan and India, and hosting related events. For inquiries, please contact:

Nozomu Hagihara

Email: teamfcnono@gmail.com

Phone: +91 98355 80398

Individual donation can be made via the following platform: Donation Page

(Credit card payments accepted. For bank transfers, please contact Hagihara directly.)

Message from Nono

Thank you all for your continued support of the children in Bihar, India, and our FC Nono team!

This challenge was conceived last summer from a spontaneous idea and, after many twists and turns, has finally come to fruition. As someone who constantly encourages children to embrace challenges, I wanted to be the one to set an example. This journey is an opportunity to share the excitement of taking on challenges with people in Japan, India, and beyond.

I truly appreciate the incredible support from our sponsors, individual donors, and all our supporters!