"KIKKOMAN presents Kibera A-GOAL League 2026" Kicks Off

A-GOAL (General Incorporated Association, Location: Tokyo, Representative: Takuya Kishi) has been hosting the "Kibera A-GOAL League," a youth soccer league for children in Kibera Slum, one of Africa's largest slums located in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, since October 2022.

The league is now entering its fourth year, and the new season will kick off on April 3, 2026, as "KIKKOMAN presents Kibera A-GOAL League 2026."

Last season, 1,312 matches were held in the 1st leg (March 16 - June 8) and 2,324 matches in the 2nd leg (September 14 - December 15). The total amount of meals provided was approximately 57,105 (meal content: ugali, rice, stir-fried cabbage, green beans).

In December, the U-13 league select team traveled to Tanzania, and starting last year, a girls' team also participated. They competed in the Chipkizi Cup, one of East Africa's largest youth soccer tournaments. Both boys' and girls' teams advanced through the preliminary rounds to the knockout stage. Improving from their first-round defeat in the knockout stage last year, the girls' team achieved a remarkable top 8 finish, and the boys' team was runner-up this year.
For children who had never left Kenya or Nairobi, this was a valuable experience that broadened their horizons.

Comment video from the captain of the girls' team for the Tanzania expedition

[2025 Tanzania Expedition] Girls' Team Captain's Comment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=AKBm0YiaT8JZfxIh&v=mQHcMt8Zu6o&feature=youtu.be

Furthermore, this league and A-GOAL's activities were recognized by the Japan Sports Agency, and A-GOAL was selected as a recipient of a letter of appreciation from the Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency in February this year. Ken Rashid, Chairman of the Kibera A-GOAL League, and Collins Wasonga, Vice Chairman, also visited Japan for the first time, confirming stronger collaboration between Kenya and Japan.

Ken Collins' First Visit to Japan, Awarded Letter of Appreciation from Japan Sports Agency Commissioner | A-GOAL:

https://a-goal.org/a-goal_sportfortomorrow/

For the 2026 season, the 1st leg will be held from April to the end of June, and the 2nd leg is scheduled to take place from September. Approximately 2,100 children are expected to participate this season.

This season, similar to last season, Kikkoman Corporation will be our naming rights partner, and the league will be held as "KIKKOMAN presents Kibera A-GOAL League 2026."

【What is the Kibera A-GOAL League?】

The Kibera A-GOAL League is a soccer league for children in Kenya's Kibera slum, launched in October 2022, in collaboration between A-GOAL (General Incorporated Association) and Agave Hope for Kibera, a local NGO in Kenya.

It consists of four categories: U-9, U-11, U-13, and U-15, with a total of approximately 160 teams and about 2,100 children participating.

Kibera Slum is one of Africa's largest slums, and it is not a favorable environment for children due to high crime rates, poor sanitation, and malnutrition.

In such an environment, the "Kibera A-GOAL League" creates an environment where children can be passionate about soccer, preventing them from getting involved in crime, and providing meals to participating children to improve their nutrition. Additionally, activities such as providing sanitary products and counseling for female players are also carried out.

For more details on the "Kibera A-GOAL League," please see here.

https://a-goal.org/kiberaleague-monthly-

【About A-GOAL】

A-GOAL was established in May 2020 to distribute emergency food in cooperation with local sports clubs across Africa, amidst a rapid increase in unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By July 2021, in collaboration with local soccer clubs in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and other countries that are well aware of local needs, A-GOAL provided food to over 10,000 residents in a total of 11 countries. Currently, with the philosophy of "Connecting Japan and Africa through sports to build a sustainable society," A-GOAL primarily operates youth soccer leagues in Kenya, provides agricultural support and operates cafeterias in cooperation with local soccer clubs in Malawi, and organizes African events in various parts of Japan. In February 2026, A-GOAL received a "Letter of Appreciation from the Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency."

Trade Name: A-GOAL (General Incorporated Association)

Representative: Takuya Kishi

Location: 2-13-3 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0005

A-GOAL Official Website: https://a-goal.org/

【Contact for this matter】

A-GOAL (General Incorporated Association) (Kenya Branch: Taguchi)

Phone: 080-9545-0618

Email: support@a-goal.org