Molten Launches Initiative in Partnership with JFA to Deliver Assemble-It-Yourself Football“BALL KIT”to 1,000 Children
Molten Corporation (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Hiroshima; President and CEO: Kiyofumi Tamiaki) will deliver assemble-it-yourself football “BALL KIT” to children across Japan over time under an initiative supported by funds raised through a crowdfunding campaign entitled “Deliver Assemble-It-Yourself Footballs to 1,000 Children!”, which Molten launched in partnership with the Japan Football Association (JFA) in the summer of 2025.
During the summer of 2025, the campaign, launched on “JFA Crowd Funding”, a platform dedicated to football, raised 1,308,250 JPY from 114 donors. Part of the donated funds was used to deliver 50 BALL KITs, along with a hands-on football workshop, to Himawari-En Children's Home (Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture) on November 28, 2025, making the initial phase of the project.
In partnership with the JFA, the initiative will continue until 1,000 units have been delivered, with the next phase of the program scheduled to provide kits to children in Kagoshima.
Molten is committed to creating educational and sports opportunities through the MY FOOTBALL KIT initiative, aiming to bridge the experience gap among children globally.
Reflections on the Event
Kenji Oida, Director of Himawari-En, Social Welfare Corporation Fuyokai, said:
Many of the children at Himawari-En truly love football, so they were really looking forward to this event. It was wonderful to see how much they enjoyed it. I believe football gives children a way to connect with one another and with the local community. Thank you very much for providing us with such a meaningful opportunity.
Yu Suzuki, Partner Business Department, Japan Football Association, said:
We hope that football can inspire children and help them dream about their future. With that belief in mind, we want to continue creating opportunities like this for as many children as possible.
Jun Uchida, MY FOOTBALL KIT Group Leader, Molten Corporation, said:
We would like to once again express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported this project. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide the children with a truly special experience. It was also especially meaningful to carry out this initiative together with Hayato Iijima, a former professional football player who grew up in a children’s home.
What is MY FOOTBALL KIT?
MY FOOTBALL KIT is a program that brings the experience of building, playing, and repairing to all children through the assemble-it-yourself football “BALL KIT”. When companies and organizations deliver these kits to children around the world, they contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably Quality Education and Responsible Consumption and Production.
― STORY ―
1. Bridging the Experience Gap
MY FOOTBALL KIT started with a simple question: how can we as a company contribute to society? Children who receive the kits grow through the experience of assembling them and the time they spend playing. We aim to provide opportunities for education and sports, helping to bridge the experience gap for children around the world.
2. Joint Development with nendo
The assemble-it-yourself football BALL KIT was developed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed design studio nendo, led by Oki Sato, who served as general producer and designer for the Japan Pavilion at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Its airless structure requires no inflation and is easy to maintain, while its compact packaging makes it highly efficient to transport.
3. Education and Sports
Build it yourself, play with it, and repair it yourself. Through this complete experience, children discover the joy of learning, the reward of making things, and the value of connecting with others. MY FOOTBALL KIT aims to broaden children’s horizons, starting with these small beginnings.
URL : https://myfootballkit.jp/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/molten_myfootballkit_jp/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/myfootballkit/?locale=ja_JP
― Getting Your BALL KIT ―
Through the experience of building, playing, and repairing, the BALL KIT nurtures children’s creativity and the joy of learning. Designed for use at home, in educational settings, and in workshops. A portion of the proceeds from each sale supports initiatives that deliver these experiences to children with fewer opportunities. Purchase here:
Molten Official Online Shop : https://shop.moltensports.jp/pages/mfkc
― Delivering BALL KITs ―
If your company or organization is interested in helping deliver BALL KITs to children, please feel free to contact us.
https://questant.jp/q/MFK_chiikikoken#page1
About Molten sports business
Since its establishment in 1958, Molten has been manufacturing and distributing premium sports equipment, particularly competition balls for basketball, handball, football, and volleyball.
With a commitment to the highest standards of quality recognized worldwide, Molten continues to enhance its technologies and support athletes, coaches, and sports communities across the globe.
Visit the Molten Sports Official Site : https://www.molten.co.jp/sports/en/
Social initiatives of Molten sports business
Molten aims to become a social brand that addresses societal challenges through its products and activities.
Key initiatives include:
-MY FOOTBALL KIT, an assembly-style football designed to bridge experience gaps among children and promote educational opportunities.
-B＋, a basketball brand initiative aimed at promoting and strengthening the sport.
-Arch to Hoop, an initiative by the General Incorporated Association "Arch to Hoop Okinawa" that addresses experience gaps between children and adults through basketball.
Keep Playing, an initiative promoting the continued participation of women in sports under the slogan “Keep doing what you love. Keep playing sports.”
Additionally, Molten is taking steps to reduce environmental impact by revisiting the materials used in its products.
About Molten Corporation
Starting with the manufacturing and sales of competition balls and automotive components, Molten has expanded its business by leveraging two core technologies: hollow-body technology, which controls internal air pressure, and polymer chemistry technology for advanced materials development.
Today, Molten operates in diverse fields, including sports equipment, automotive parts, medical and welfare devices, and marine and industrial products such as floating piers and bridge bearings.
Through continuous innovation, Molten remains committed to exploring new possibilities and contributing to a safe and sustainable society.
Visit our official website : https://www.molten.co.jp/index_en.html