Contribution to the Sports Promotion

Fostering Vitality in People and Society Through Sports
Sumitomo Riko aims to realize a society where diverse individuals can take on challenges, grow, and fully unleash their potential through sports. We are committed to supporting athletes and creating opportunities for them to excel; at the same time, we share the value of sports with society, contributing to the revitalization of local communities and fostering a spirit of coexistence.

We hired our first athlete employee in April 2025. Additionally, we entered into a sponsorship agreement with a para-athlete in January 2026.

In April 2025, our company hired Natsuki Ouchida, a female rugby player, as our first athlete employee.
She began playing rugby at the age of four and trained alongside male players until graduating from high school. She subsequently enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University, where she has dedicated herself to the sport with the goal of winning the "Taiyo Life Series," a national women's rugby sevens tournament.
After graduating from university, she joined PEARLS—an organization based in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture—and simultaneously began working for our company in an administrative role. Currently, she engages in athletic training in the morning and performs social contribution activities in the afternoon, serving as a role model who successfully balances her sports career with her professional responsibilities.
Additionally, she has been selected for the Sevens Development Squad (SDS*)—a candidate pool for the Japan women's national rugby sevens team—and participates in intensive training camps and overseas tours. At the HSBC SVNS 2026 Dubai tournament held in November 2025, she helped the Japan women's national rugby sevens team achieve a third-place finish—their highest-ever ranking in the World Series—further expanding her presence on the international stage.

*SDS (Sevens Development Squad): A squad formed to develop and strengthen potential candidates for the Japan national sevens team by recruiting players such as those who have competed in sevens tournaments.

In January 2026, our company entered into a sponsorship agreement with para-athlete Kengo Oshima (affiliated with Nagoya Gakuin University AC), who competes in the 100m and 200m sprints.
Born with a congenital limb deficiency affecting his left foot and ankle, Oshima took up track and field after discovering competitive prosthetics during high school; he began competing in para-athletics in earnest after enrolling at Nagoya Gakuin University. He won a bronze medal in the mixed 4x100m universal relay at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Subsequently, at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, he set a personal best and a new Asian record in the men's 100m (T64 class). He continues to excel on the global stage, notably winning titles and setting new Asian records in both the 100m and 200m (T64 class) at the 2026 Japan Para Athletics Championships.
Currently, while continuing his competitive career as a member of Nagoya Gakuin University AC, he actively participates in lectures and track clinics centered on themes such as "pursuing dreams and goals" and "embracing diversity through para-sports." Through these activities, he contributes to youth development, the promotion of sports, and the revitalization of the local community.

In our long-term management vision, "2029 Sumitomo Riko Group Vision (2029V)," the Group has identified "Developing People and Peers who Pioneer the Future" as a key strategic direction. Guided by this policy, we are actively promoting diversity by recruiting athlete employees with diverse values and backgrounds and by supporting para-athletes.
Moving forward, we will continue to foster an environment where diverse talent can leverage their strengths and thrive. We aim to build momentum toward creating a future society where everyone can play an active role, while further contributing to the development of vibrant local communities through sports.