KNT-CT Holdings and Deshima Football Sign Partnership Agreement

KNT-CT Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshinobu Oyama; hereinafter referred to as KNT-CT Holdings) and Deshima Football Consultancy (Netherlands; Representative Director: Takao Rishige; English name: Deshima Football Consultancy), joint owner of Dutch second division club "MVV Maastricht," have signed a partnership agreement in June 2026 aimed at fostering football talent connecting Japan and Europe.

The KNT-CT Holdings Group has been involved in educational travel and sports-related businesses for many years, primarily through Kinki Nippon Tourist. Deshima Football was established as a company to build a new European base for football talent development and operates multiple talent development projects connecting Japan and Europe, such as "MVV Maastricht Football HUB."

Through this partnership, both companies will work to develop a wide range of talent supporting football, including players, coaches, and sports business professionals, in addition to providing international experience in Europe.

Main Initiatives

1. Kinki Nippon Tourist's Sponsorship of the Youth International Tournament "MVV Maastricht Cup"

https://football-hub-tournament.com/

Uniforms with logos of both companies worn by Japanese players

Kinki Nippon Tourist will sponsor the "MVV Maastricht Cup," an international tournament for U17 players, which will be held for the first time in Maastricht, Netherlands, on August 15th and 16th, 2026.

This tournament is organized by Deshima Football as an opportunity for young players in their youth years to gain international experience in Europe. Kinki Nippon Tourist will be responsible for the travel and accommodation arrangements and tour operations for the Japan representative team, as well as supporting the operation of the pre-departure Hakodate camp (August 9th-11th).

2. Provision of European Tour Programs for the Talent Development Project "MVV Maastricht Football HUB"

Leveraging the strengths of Deshima Football, which is also involved in the management of professional football clubs in the Netherlands, both companies will provide access to their owned stadium and training facilities, as well as arrange optimal matchmaking with teams (professional or amateur) in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, tailored to the team's competitive level and development goals.

Furthermore, educational programs will be developed to learn about sports business management in European club operations, and to deepen understanding of support roles in football such as coaches, trainers, sports nutritionists, and sports interpreters. Opportunities will be created not only for improving athletic performance but also for learning that leads to future career development.

Comment from Yoshinobu Oyama, President of KNT-CT Holdings

I am deeply honored to partner with "Deshima Football," which is promoting football talent development in the Netherlands. Looking towards the future of educational travel, the role of travel companies is changing to a time when they are evaluated not just on safely arranging itineraries, but on how much they have provided hints for the future of participating students. Through this partnership, we will work on developing travel programs that convey the opportunities for multifaceted engagement with sports.

Comment from Takao Rishige, Co-founder and CEO of Deshima Football

I am extremely pleased to announce this partnership with KNT-CT Holdings. For us, who aim to foster "future football talent," this partnership is a major step forward in improving both the quality and quantity of our tour and educational training programs. We aim to co-create opportunities for international experience for many next-generation individuals not only in Japanese football but in the entire sports world, and contribute to the future of sports.

【Company Overview】

KNT-CT Holdings

A holding company centered around two travel agencies, Kinki Nippon Tourist and Club Tourism. Established in 1947 with educational travel (school trips) as its founding business. Offers domestic and international group tours, individual travel, guided tours, and themed travel products. Also focuses on inbound tourism, regional co-creation projects, and new businesses. Its subsidiary, Kinki Nippon Tourist, has expertise in sports business, including the planning of sports event operations and spectator tours.

Deshima Football

A company based in the Netherlands, established to build a new European base for football talent development. Composed of professional members with expertise not only in Japan but also internationally in both business and football. Began full-scale operations in April 2025 after acquiring shares in MVV Maastricht, a club in the Dutch Eerste Divisie (equivalent to the second division). Promotes the creation of international businesses bridging Japan and the Netherlands, focusing on the sound management of clubs, contributions to local communities, and the development of next-generation talent.

KNT-CT Holdings and Deshima Football will leverage their respective strengths through this partnership agreement to contribute to the development of future international football talent.