Giving Every Child a Place to Start: Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026

Giving every child the chance to discover sport.

On May 17, a clear blue sky stretched over Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park as around 300 children from across the region arrived, ready for a day unlike any other.
Some came in quietly, eyes wide with nerves — but the moment they spotted their favorite athletes up close, their faces broke into smiles. That scene played out again and again throughout the day.

Across six sports — baseball, soccer, tennis, wrestling, curling, and golf — Olympic medalists and top athletes stepped in as coaches: Hisashi Iwakuma and Hiroyuki Nakajima (baseball), Homare Sawa and Mana Iwabuchi (soccer), Shingo Kunieda (tennis), Eri Tosaka and Sara Dosho (wrestling), and Rui Kitada (golf), among others.

A child gripping a tennis racket for the very first time. Another nervously attempting their first wrestling takedown on the mat. One more pumping their fist after sending a curling stone down the ice — each of these small, unforgettable moments made the day truly their own.
The day also included a "Junior Journalist" program in partnership with the Shinano Mainichi Shimbun. Notepad in hand, children interviewed athletes and put their experiences into their own words.
Watching them take on the challenge of storytelling with the same focus they brought to the sports floor was a highlight of the day.

The Sports For Kids Foundation will continue to stand by every child's "first time" — creating spaces where all children, regardless of their background, can take their own first step forward.

The Sports For Kids Foundation was established with a singular mission: to give every child equal access to sports and cultural experiences, regardless of their family background or where they live.
believe that the circumstances a child is born into should never limit the choices available to them — and we work to build a society where every child can take their own first step forward.

The Karuizawa Sports Festival is the flagship event of the Karuizawa Children's Future Fund, operated by NPO SC Karuizawa Club, which has been delivering sports and cultural experiences to children since its founding in 2004.
The Sports For Kids Foundation, newly established in May 2026, has joined as organizers to help bring the festival to even more children across the region.

The Sports For Kids Foundation works to create an environment in which every child can stand at their own starting line, through the following initiatives:

• Providing and funding opportunities to take part in sports and cultural activities
• Supporting equipment and facilities, and improving the environment for activities
• Planning and running experience programmes and events
• Developing instructors and building partnerships with schools, local governments, businesses and NPOs

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