[Challenge Report] Founder of FC Nono Completed 2,000km Dribble Across India - Arrived at the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi!

On May 15, 2025, Nozomu Hagihara (Nono), Founder of FC Nono, reached the final destination of his 2,000km solo dribbling challenge across India—the Embassy of Japan in India, located in the nation’s capital, New Delhi!

With Gratitude: Message from Nono

Hello everyone, this is Nono, Founder of FC Nono.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the companies and individual sponsors who supported the realization of this dribbling challenge. I also want to thank everyone who supported me in so many other ways. From before the challenge began, throughout the journey, and all the way to the finish, I received incredible support from countless people—especially in Japan and India. Without your encouragement and support, this challenge would never have been possible.

Now that I’ve completed the 2,000km dribbling challenge across India, I feel a huge sense of relief. Of course, I’m grateful I was able to reach the final destination on time and without major injury—but more than anything, I feel a deep sense of peace knowing I kept my promise to the children in Bihar I work for.

Through this journey, we’ve received far more attention and opportunities than I ever imagined. I’m truly thankful that so many people took an interest not just in the spectacle of dribbling across India, but also in the deeper purpose behind this challenge.

Though the dribbling journey has come to an end, we’re determined to make the most of this experience and continue supporting the growth of our team and the children we work for even more strongly moving forward.

Thank you once again for your warm and continued support!

Highlights from the Second Half of the Dribbling Challenge

While the daily progress and updates of the dribbling challenge have been shared mainly through the official FC Nono Instagram and Nono’s personal account, here we’d like to share some memorable moments from the second half of the journey—from the 1,000km halfway point to the 2,000km finish line!

●FC Nono Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballclubnono/

●Nono’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/india_nono_/

Award from the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh

During the journey through Uttar Pradesh, Nono had the honor of receiving a warm reception from the Director General of Police, including a commendation and an official award for his efforts.

Workshop for Local Children in Collaboration with Nippon India Mutual Fund

Together with Nippon India Mutual Fund—one of India’s largest and leading asset management companies, known for its strong commitment to social contribution, we organized a workshop for local children. The session shared the story behind the dribbling challenge and included a football workshop as well.

Speech at SS Public School

Nono delivered a motivational talk to 200 students at SS Public School in Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the importance of taking on challenges.

Speech at Panasonic India Headquarters

Nono gave an internal talk at the Panasonic India headquarters on the theme of sports and development. The passion and energy of the Panasonic India team left a strong impression.

Speech at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)

Nono spoke to female students aspiring to become engineers about the lessons learned from the dribbling challenge, gender issues in India, and the potential of sports to drive social change.

Goal Ceremony

A ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan in India—the final destination of the dribbling challenge—to celebrate Nono’s successful finish!

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025

Location: Embassy of Japan in India (Plot No.4 & 5, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi)

Program

16:00–16:10 IST: Nono’s Arrival at the Embassy of Japan in India

16:15–17:30 IST: Ceremony including commemorative photos with attendees, a speech by Nono, screening of a summary video, courtesy visit to the Ambassador, and media coverage

Approaching the Final Goal

Together with our main sponsor, Mr. Tsutsumi (President) and Mr. Iwai (CFO) of Quartet Communications, as well as other sponsors who came all the way from Japan, we completed the final stretch of the challenge side by side.

At the Finish Line

We arrived at the Embassy of Japan in India at 16:00(IST) and were warmly welcomed by everyone there.

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

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

Duration: 74 days

Distance: Approx. 2007 km

Record of Nono’s Dribbling Journey Across India

Sponsors of This Project

Again, we extend our sincere gratitude to the following companies and individuals who have generously sponsored this challenge.

<SPONSORS>

QUARTET COMMUNICATIONS Co.,Ltd.

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS Co., Ltd.

Tokisetsu Co., Ltd.

Fun Creative LLC

Mr. Takeshi Seo

Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation

ROOKIE Co., Ltd.

We also received a generous donation of sunglasses from Kering Japan K.K.During the dribbling challenge, we had the opportunity to visit many companies, and the warm welcomes and words of encouragement we received at each stop gave us the strength to complete the journey safely. Thank you all so much! (Companies visited: Panasonic India Headquarters, Kering India Headquarters, and others)

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.)

Next Events

We plan to submit an official application for Guinness World Records recognition of the 2,000km dribbling challenge across India. We will share updates on the application results as soon as they become available.

We are also planning to hold a post-challenge report event in Tokyo this summer. Once the details are confirmed, we will make an official announcement in advance.

At the same time, we are moving forward with the production of a documentary covering this challenge. When it’s completed, we will bring it to you through public viewings and events in both Japan and India. Looking forward to sharing it with you soon!

FC Nono will continue sharing updates on our daily activities primarily through Instagram. Please keep following us on this journey!

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/footballclubnono/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/footballclubnono

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fc-nono/

X: https://twitter.com/teamfcnono

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@fcnono2021

Media Inquiries

We welcome media coverage of this challenge.

For press inquiries, please contact:

Nozomu Hagihara (Representative) / Mei Ikumoto (PR)Email: teamfcnono@gmail.comPhone: +91 96546 07896

Thank you for your continued support of FC Nono!