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 (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 that supports 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/

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 15-16, 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 for the Japan representative team, as well as the operational support for the pre-departure Hakodate camp (August 9-11).

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

Leveraging the strengths of Deshima Football, which is directly 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 match-ups with teams from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany (both professional and amateur) based on the competitive level and development goals of the teams. 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 for learning that lead to future career development, not just athletic improvement, will be created.

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 at the future of educational travel, the role of travel companies is changing to a time when they are evaluated not only on their ability to arrange safe itineraries but also on the hints they provide 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 "nurture future football talent," this partnership is a major step forward in improving both the quality and quantity of our expedition 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 travel, individual travel, tours with escorts, and highly thematic travel products. Also focuses on inbound tourism, regional co-creation projects, and new business ventures. Its subsidiary, Kinki Nippon Tourist, possesses expertise in sports business, including the planning of sports event operations and spectator tours.

Deshima Football

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

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

<Contact for Media Inquiries>

KNT-CT Holdings Co., Ltd. General Affairs & CSR Department TEL: 03-5325-8547

Deshima Football Email: [email protected]