We would like to inform you that the Japan Women’s Professional Football League (WE League), a public interest incorporated association, has been awarded the Honor for Women’s Football Development at the World Football Summit, which has been held since 2016.
The World Football Summit (WFS) is one of the largest soccer business conferences in the world, founded in Spain in 2016. All stakeholders involved in soccer, including leagues, clubs, associations, media, sponsors, and startups from around the world, are gathered together to develop as an international platform aimed at social change and business creation through football.
So far, it has been held around the world, including Madrid, New York, Monterey (Mexico), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Sevilla and Rabato (Morocco), and has attracted over 90,000 people in charge each year. In recent years, many sessions have been held that address the key issues of modern society, such as diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and technology.
The WFS Honors, which was awarded by the WE League this time, will be awarded to organizations and individuals who have transformed the football industry within this global network. This is the first Asian organization to win the award.
Congratulations from the World Football Summit representative
World Football Summit Managing Director and Co-Founder Jan Alessie
“WFS is proud to present the Honor for Women’s Football Development to the WE League, whose groundbreaking professionalism and unwavering commitment to gender equity are transforming women’s football in Japan and beyond. Their visionary leadership is fostering competitive excellence and empowering women, setting a global standard for the game’s growth and inclusion.”
“WFS is proud to recognize the WE League as a recipient of the ‘Contribution to Women’s Football Development’ category. The WE League is transforming women’s soccer not only in Japan but around the world through innovative professionalism and commitment to gender equality. Its visionary leadership combines improved competitiveness with empowerment for women, establishing the standard of global growth and inclusion.”
Past major winners
Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Prize winner) / UNICEF FC Barcelona Femeni (FC Barcelona Women’s Team) / Liga MX Femenil (Mexican Women’s League) / Nadia Nadim (former Afghanistan national team/refugee-born women’s soccer player) / Monica Stab (first manager of the Saudi Arabian women’s national team)
