The "Sport Positive Awards 2026" is an international awards ceremony held in collaboration with the United Nations and the IOC.

Global Bridge Plus (GB+), a general incorporated association, has been selected as a world finalist (shortlist) in the Community Initiative category of the "Sport Positive Awards 2026, " an international award held in collaboration with the United Nations and the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

This marks my second consecutive year being selected for the shortlist.

Furthermore, we were the only Japanese sports organization to be shortlisted in this category.

Grassroots international exchange through soccer, recognized worldwide.

The Sport Positive Awards are an international awards program that recognizes outstanding initiatives that create positive impacts on society and the environment through sports. Held as part of the "Sport Positive Summit" in collaboration with the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and the IOC (International Olympic Committee), the awards recognize clubs, leagues, sports organizations, companies, and NPOs working on sustainability and social impact in the global sports world.

We are deeply honored that GB+'s grassroots activities connecting children in Southeast Asia and Japan through soccer have been recognized for the second consecutive year on an international stage that includes top Premier League clubs, NBA-related organizations, and other leading sports organizations from around the world.

Two initiatives that were highly evaluated

In this selection, the following two projects that GB+ continues to work on were highly evaluated.

• Road to Japan

This international exchange program invites U-12 children from Myanmar to Japan, where they can not only participate in international tournaments but also learn about each other's cultures and values through interaction with Japanese children and homestays.

We are using soccer not just as a "sport for competition," but also as a "tool for making friends across borders," creating encounters that will lead to a brighter future for children.

• Global Bridge Asia Challenge Festival

This was the first international exchange tournament independently organized by GB+ in Thailand in January 2026.

This program was implemented as a new international exchange model aimed at fostering understanding of diversity and cultivating friendships by having children from Japan and ASEAN countries live, practice, and play together in mixed teams that transcended nationality.

The fact that it's "not a one-off event, but a connected activity" is what's being praised.

We believe that the judging process not only evaluated each individual project, but also appreciated how the connections forged through "Road to Japan" evolved into the "ASEAN Junior Soccer Challenge Festival," providing continuous opportunities for international exchange in line with the children's growth.

GB+ currently has activities for U-12 and U-13 age groups, and is planning to expand its activities to include the U-14 age group in the future.

Furthermore, we are also working to create a development and exchange system that connects Japanese professional club academies with children from ASEAN countries, aiming to build a sustainable international exchange platform where children can reunite and continue learning together as they grow up, rather than just a one-time exchange.

To all of you who support us

This selection is a testament to the support and cooperation of our partner companies, donors, supporters, volunteers, and many other stakeholders both domestically and internationally, who share our vision and have consistently supported and cooperated with us.

I express my sincere gratitude.

Our philosophy is to "connect children around the world through soccer. "

Regardless of nationality, culture, language, or circumstances, children can become friends through soccer—believing in this possibility, we will continue to expand the circle of international exchange connecting Japan and ASEAN.

Being selected for this shortlist is not an end for us, but a new beginning. Encouraged by this recognition from around the world, we will continue to create encounters that will lead to a brighter future for each and every child, and we will continue to strive to make the world a more peaceful and warmer place through soccer.

We would appreciate your continued warm support and encouragement for Global Bridge Plus.

Sport Positive Awards 2026 Shortlist

https://awards.sportpositivesummit.com/shortlist-2026/

*In the Community Initiative category, we were the only Japanese sports organization to be shortlisted.