Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) is pleased to announce the launch of the POCARI SWEAT Basketball Dream Project, an initiative that aims to support the dreams and passion of children around the world through basketball.

The project seeks to contribute to the promotion of sports and the maintenance of health, primarily across Asia and the Middle East. It offers coaching to improve athletic and basketball skills, alongside health-related guidance to foster the fitness of junior basketball players and creates opportunities for global exchange.

Basketball is a very popular sport in Asia and the Middle East, with a large number of active players. As a supporter of the Japan Professional Basketball League (B.League), Otsuka collaborates with the league to help improve the conditioning of athletes and other related personnel, as well as address local health issues. We also support the aspirations of the next generation of athletes overseas by partnering mainly with affiliated sports organizations across various regions. With this new project, we hope to contribute to health by applying the knowledge we have gained through past efforts.

In the first phase of this project, Otsuka partnered with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Saga Ballooners, a B.League club, to set up a coaching to improve basketball skills, health-related guidance and selection process^*1 beginning in September 2024. In January 2025, five players aged 13-15 selected from a pool of 400 participants will be invited to Saga Prefecture to meet with Saga Ballooners U15 players and tour the Saga Nutritional Products Research Center where Otsuka conduct research and development of nutraceutical products. There, they will be provided with information on the importance of fluids, electrolytes and nutritional supplementation.

For the second phase, planning is underway for a collaboration between a team from the Taiwanese high school basketball league and B.League club of the Hiroshima Dragonflies. We intend to expand the scope of this project, primarily across Asia and the Middle East.

"In the past, we have conducted POCARI SWEAT running events as well as initiatives to support young soccer players, with the aim to promote sports and contribute to health in Asia and the Middle East," commented Mikio Bando, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Managing Director in charge of Emerging Countries and OIAA^*2 Division. "Through this collaboration with B.League clubs, we hope to support the dreams and passion of even more children worldwide while helping resolve health issues."

Based on the corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide', Otsuka Pharmaceutical aims to contribute to the health and well-being of people around the world.