ANA Becomes Title Sponsor for "Smokey Mountain Baseball Project 2026"!
ANA continues its support as the title sponsor for the "Smokey Mountain Baseball Project 2026," a social contribution activity through baseball held in Manila, Philippines. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the project will see former professional baseball player Kimiyasu Kudo and others participate for the first time, with a total of 80 individuals supporting children in Manila.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 11:32
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NB.ACADEMY (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shogo Shibata) will host the "Smokey Mountain Baseball Project 2026" (hereinafter, SMBP 2026), a social contribution activity through baseball, for three days from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Manila, Philippines. This project marks its 15th anniversary this year since its start in 2012, and All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) will continue to support this initiative as the title sponsor, following last year. This year, Kimiyasu Kudo, a member of the Golden Players Club and former manager of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, will participate for the first time. In addition, former professional baseball players, popular YouTubers, employees from sponsoring companies, and volunteer participants, totaling 80 people, will head to Manila to meet the children.
■ What is the Smokey Mountain Baseball Project?
The Smokey Mountain Baseball Project (SMBP) is a social contribution activity that provides children living in the area around "Smokey Mountain," a slum in Manila, Philippines, with opportunities to expand their future possibilities through baseball. Started in 2012, Japanese volunteers, including former professional baseball players, visit the site annually. Through baseball clinics, exchange events, and donations of daily necessities, the project supports the physical and mental growth and educational opportunities for children. To date, over 120 graduates (as of January 2026) have advanced to high school and university through SMBP.
■ Event Outline
Event Name
Smokey Mountain Baseball Project 2026 (SMBP 2026)
Dates
May 29 (Fri) - 31 (Sun), 2026
Location
Manila, Philippines
Organizer
NB.ACADEMY
Co-organizers/Partners
JCI Manila, Nippon Professional Baseball Golden Players Club
Title Sponsor
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA)
Participants
Former professional baseball players, YouTubers, Japanese volunteers, etc.
Official Website
https://nbacademy.jp/smbp2026
■ Golden Players Club Member Kimiyasu Kudo Participates in SMBP for the First Time
This year, Kimiyasu Kudo, a member of the Golden Players Club and former manager of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, will participate in SMBP for the first time. As a legend representing Japanese baseball and a coach who has achieved results for many years, Mr. Kudo's direct baseball instruction to the children in Manila will advance SMBP's activities to a new stage.
■ ANA Continues to Support SMBP, Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, as Title Sponsor
SMBP, which started in 2012, will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2026. To date, over 120 graduates have utilized SMBP's scholarship system to advance to high school and university, embarking on their respective life paths.
This milestone year, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA), which has operated the Narita-Manila route since 2011, the year before SMBP began, will continue to provide support as the title sponsor, following last year. Together with ANA, which has continuously connected Japan and the Philippines by wing, SMBP will move to a new stage for the next decade.
■ Introduction of SMBP 2026 Guests
The following distinguished guests are scheduled to participate in this year's SMBP:
Kimiyasu Kudo (Golden Players Club Member / Former Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Manager)
Manpei (Operating YouTube channel EXIT JACK)
Takayuki Kajitani (Former Yokohama DeNA BayStars / Yomiuri Giants)
Tomomi Takahashi (Former Saitama Seibu Lions / Current Lions Academy Coach)
Yuki Takamori (Former Yokohama DeNA BayStars)
Ichiro Matsushita (Former Yokohama DeNA BayStars)
■ Introduction of SMBP Partners and Sponsoring Companies
The fact that we have reached this 15th anniversary milestone is thanks to the warm support of our partners and sponsoring companies who share our vision. We deeply appreciate the thoughts of everyone who illuminates the future of children with us.
■ Comment from Shogo Shibata, Representative Director of NB.ACADEMY
Shogo Shibata (Former Yomiuri Giants / Representative Director of the organizing body NB.ACADEMY)
"This project, launched in 2012, has reached its 15th anniversary thanks to everyone's warm support. For the past three years, we have worked with approximately 40 volunteers annually, but the circle has expanded through word-of-mouth, and we will visit Manila with a record total of 80 people. I am surprised, grateful, and greatly delighted that SMBP has grown into such a beloved project with everyone's help. Together with many partner companies, including ANA, we believe in the power of sports to transcend borders and help children believe in their own potential."
■ What is the Smokey Mountain Baseball Project?
The Smokey Mountain Baseball Project (SMBP) is a social contribution activity that provides children living in the area around "Smokey Mountain," a slum in Manila, Philippines, with opportunities to expand their future possibilities through baseball. Started in 2012, Japanese volunteers, including former professional baseball players, visit the site annually. Through baseball clinics, exchange events, and donations of daily necessities, the project supports the physical and mental growth and educational opportunities for children. To date, over 120 graduates (as of January 2026) have advanced to high school and university through SMBP.
■ Event Outline
Event Name
Smokey Mountain Baseball Project 2026 (SMBP 2026)
Dates
May 29 (Fri) - 31 (Sun), 2026
Location
Manila, Philippines
Organizer
NB.ACADEMY
Co-organizers/Partners
JCI Manila, Nippon Professional Baseball Golden Players Club
Title Sponsor
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA)
Participants
Former professional baseball players, YouTubers, Japanese volunteers, etc.
Official Website
https://nbacademy.jp/smbp2026
■ Golden Players Club Member Kimiyasu Kudo Participates in SMBP for the First Time
This year, Kimiyasu Kudo, a member of the Golden Players Club and former manager of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, will participate in SMBP for the first time. As a legend representing Japanese baseball and a coach who has achieved results for many years, Mr. Kudo's direct baseball instruction to the children in Manila will advance SMBP's activities to a new stage.
■ ANA Continues to Support SMBP, Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, as Title Sponsor
SMBP, which started in 2012, will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2026. To date, over 120 graduates have utilized SMBP's scholarship system to advance to high school and university, embarking on their respective life paths.
This milestone year, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA), which has operated the Narita-Manila route since 2011, the year before SMBP began, will continue to provide support as the title sponsor, following last year. Together with ANA, which has continuously connected Japan and the Philippines by wing, SMBP will move to a new stage for the next decade.
■ Introduction of SMBP 2026 Guests
The following distinguished guests are scheduled to participate in this year's SMBP:
Kimiyasu Kudo (Golden Players Club Member / Former Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Manager)
Manpei (Operating YouTube channel EXIT JACK)
Takayuki Kajitani (Former Yokohama DeNA BayStars / Yomiuri Giants)
Tomomi Takahashi (Former Saitama Seibu Lions / Current Lions Academy Coach)
Yuki Takamori (Former Yokohama DeNA BayStars)
Ichiro Matsushita (Former Yokohama DeNA BayStars)
■ Introduction of SMBP Partners and Sponsoring Companies
The fact that we have reached this 15th anniversary milestone is thanks to the warm support of our partners and sponsoring companies who share our vision. We deeply appreciate the thoughts of everyone who illuminates the future of children with us.
■ Comment from Shogo Shibata, Representative Director of NB.ACADEMY
Shogo Shibata (Former Yomiuri Giants / Representative Director of the organizing body NB.ACADEMY)
"This project, launched in 2012, has reached its 15th anniversary thanks to everyone's warm support. For the past three years, we have worked with approximately 40 volunteers annually, but the circle has expanded through word-of-mouth, and we will visit Manila with a record total of 80 people. I am surprised, grateful, and greatly delighted that SMBP has grown into such a beloved project with everyone's help. Together with many partner companies, including ANA, we believe in the power of sports to transcend borders and help children believe in their own potential."