Global Bridge Named a Finalist in the Sport Positive Awards 2025

Global Bridge Plus (Location: Tokyo, CEO: Yuji Matsushita, hereinafter "GB+") has been selected as a global finalist (Shortlisted) in the Community Initiative category at the Sport Positive Awards 2025, an international award that recognizes sustainability initiatives in the sporting world. GB+ has been selected as a global finalist (Shortlisted) in the Community Initiative category of the Sport Positive Awards 2025, an international award that recognizes sustainability initiatives in the world of sports.

Grassroots organizations from Japan were the only finalists selected for this international award, which is given to sports leagues, clubs, athletic organizations, universities, and non-profit organizations from around the world.

Sport Positive Awards finalists on stage

International recognition alongside the world's top clubs

The Sport Positive Awards is an international sustainability award that recognizes organizations and individuals that use the power of sport to address global issues such as climate change and the environment. Over 100 organizations and individuals from around the world have been selected in each category, including international sports organizations and teams such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool FC, Manchester City, and Arsenal FC. The award will be presented by the United Nations (UN).

The award was presented at the Sport Positive Summit (October 7, 2025, London, England), a gathering of sports organizations from around the world in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and in 2025, Liverpool FC and La Liga's Real Betis Top professional clubs such as Liverpool FC and Real Betis of La Liga won the award.

<Reference: Sport Positive Awards 2025 official website>.

https://awards.sportpositivesummit.com/shortlist-2025/

The selection of a Japanese grassroots organization supporting children as a finalist on such a global stage is a sign of international recognition of the challenge for the future of the region and Asia.

Representative Director Matsushita in front of the Sport Positive Awards panel at the award ceremony in Summit

Connecting with the World in London

At the Sport Positive Summit 2025 held at the Elizabeth II Center in London, UK on October 7-8, 2025, GB+, as a Shortlisted Organization, participated in the commemorative photo of finalists on the official Awards stage.

At the event, GB+ interacted with global sports sustainability leaders from sports organizations, CSR departments, international NGOs, and academic institutions around the world, and engaged in meaningful dialogue on the social value and peace potential of sport, as well as future collaboration and partnerships.

<Projects evaluated

"Road to Japan｜Myanmar Youth Football for Hope and Peace

This project invites children from Myanmar to Japan to participate in an international soccer tournament, interact with the local community, do homestays, and support the J-League to nurture friendship and hope.

At a hall in the Elizabeth II Centre in central London

Initiatives with children from Myanmar, a nominee for the award

Comment from GB+ Representative Director

Soccer has the power to transcend borders.

We are proud that our challenge has been recognized internationally alongside the world's leading clubs. We owe this international recognition to the courage and challenge of our children and to all of you who support us.

The hope of our children will change the future. We will continue to be a "Global Bridge" connecting the dreams and hopes of the children of Asia and the world.　Yuji Matsushita

Radio Appearance on "Sports Day

On October 13, "Sports Day," Representative Director Yuji Matsushita will appear on Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. on Nippon Broadcasting System, introducing the background of our activities and the stories of children.

＜Podcast>

https://podcast.1242.com/abe/?ep=188

Appearance on Nippon Broadcasting System Radio "Ryo Abe's NGO Around the World" on Sports Day

About Global Bridge Plus (GB+)

Based on the principle of "Connecting the world through soccer," GB+ is developing international sports exchange and educational projects that lead to peace, mainly for children in Asia. (Established in 2021)

2022-23: Hold soccer classes with children in Cambodia

2023-25 Invite Myanmar children to Japan for U-12 international soccer tournament and international exchange

2026 Scheduled to hold U-13 Global Bridge Asia Challenge in Thailand

＜Website

https://www.globalbridge.plus

＜Publications

Global Bridge: Bridging the world's children through soccer.

https://amzn.asia/d/3R4nIpD

Book "Global Bridge

Support for Myanmar

Following the devastating earthquake in central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, we donated solar lanterns (12 in total) to the families of the academy facilities and management staff to help maintain the soccer facilities in the affected areas where children were living. We are working with local support groups to bring light, safety, and comfort to areas that have yet to recover and electricity has not been restored.

GB+ will continue to bring light to the future of Asia and the world through soccer, education, cultural exchange, and social support.

Donation of solar lanterns to a soccer academy in the disaster-stricken city of Mandalay

■We are looking for new partners

We are looking for partners (corporate and individual) who share our vision of building bridges of friendship and exchange between children around the world, and who will work together to create the future.

We welcome co-creation in a wide range of fields, including Southeast Asia (especially Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia), Japan, soccer, character building in the development age, education, community building, and inclusive initiatives.