Maitri Golf Cup 2025 Strengthens Indo-Japanese Bonds with focus on Indo-pacific
The flagship golf event, “MET City presents Japan-India Maitri Golf Cup 2025”, brought together diplomats, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts to strengthen Indo-Japanese ties through sport and camaraderie.
New Delhi, India – The Japan-India Maitri Golf Cup 2025, held on October 25 in Gurugram, emerged as a showcase of vibrant Indo-Japanese ties, drawing an elite community of diplomats, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts to celebrate friendship and foster deeper commercial and cultural relations between the two nations. Haryana’s only Japanese Industrial Township (JIT), Reliance MET City, Jhajjar, came on board as the title sponsor to partner with the event.
Conceptualized and hosted by Asian Community News (ACN Network), the event found strong institutional backing from the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCII), the Aju Group of Japanese Hotels, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) as the industry partner, further solidifying its reputation as a flagship gathering for cross-border engagement.
Reliance MET City, Haryana’s premier Japan Industrial Township, headlined as the title sponsor, highlighting its growing stature in the Indo-Japanese economic landscape. The sponsorship underscored MET City’s dedication to promoting not only business excellence but also community collaboration and international goodwill, with representatives, including Prashant Yadav, Business Head of MET City, present among the distinguished guests.
The day unfolded as part of the annual Japan Month festivities, a mosaic of cultural, business, and technology events curated by the Japan Embassy across September and October each year.
The Maitri Golf Cup emerged as a highlight, bringing together senior officials like Takashi Ariyoshi, Deputy Chief of Mission at Japan’s Embassy; Kenji Sugino, Secretary General of JCCII; Kentaro Yano, Executive VP of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd; and dignitaries from India’s state and central government, Taiwan, and the Korean community.
The guest list reflected significant engagement across government, industry, and diplomatic circles, including Yashpal Yadav (Dy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana), Ambassador Skand R Tayal, Dr Manoj Kumar, and many others.
Rudra Pandey, Partner and Head of the Japan Desk at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Company, and a member of the Japanese Community of FICCI, addressed the forum, highlighting the importance of strengthening India-Japan bilateral relations.
Central to the day’s camaraderie were engaging rounds of golf and a competitive awards lineup, with Takahito Tanifuji earning the prize for Closest to Pin, Jagdeep Ghai for Longest Drive, and unique honours handed to Yuki Tanaka and Yoshihiro Yama as “Booby Maker” recipients.
Ms Machiko Okawara claimed the Lady Net Winner title, while Tsuneo Komiyama, Varun Singal, and Anish Sharma were awarded across various net and gross categories. Noteworthy, too, was the Hole-in-One achievement, secured by Mr Tetsuya Hagiwara and Dong Sung Pak, adding excitement to this sports diplomacy spectacle.
The event would not have achieved its success without the support of leading brands and businesses, including ZEUS Law, Amity Global School, PDS International, EBISU Japanese Restaurants, BTTN Mobility, Ahuja Residency, Beam Suntory, Joe’s Craft Beer, Rad Elan Distributors, and KIKKOMAN Japanese Soy Sauce—each contributing to an environment of hospitality and engagement. KIZUNA Sports sponsored TSURUYA Golf Bags for the lucky draw winners.
The students of Amity Global School presented a Rajasthani folk song and dance performance, which won huge applause from the audience, leaving them mesmerised by the talent of these students. Mrs Arti Gupta, Principal of Amity Global School, introduced the audience to the school, highlighting its IB and Cambridge International School curriculum.
Sanjeev K. Ahuja, Founder and Chief Editor of ACN Network, welcomed participants and guests, emphasising the role of sports events, such as the Golf Cup, in fostering people-to-people connections, establishing new business partnerships, and providing a platform for informal dialogue among high-level decision-makers.
According to organisers and invited diplomats, such exchanges remain invaluable for shaping the future of the India-Japan strategic partnership, bridging cultural gaps, and sparking collaborative opportunities in areas ranging from manufacturing to sports tourism, education, and beyond.
Kenji Sugino, Secretary General of JCCII, and Prakash Yadav, MD, Aju Group of Japanese Hotels, delivered a vote of thanks note for the participants as well as the sponsors.
In its latest edition, the Japan-India Maitri Golf Cup reaffirmed its position as one of the most anticipated events in the annual calendar for Indo-Japan relations, merging sport, business, and diplomacy on the greens of Gurugram—and promising even greater milestones as the friendship continues to grow.
Winners: Japan-India Maitri Golf Cup 2025 held on October 25, 2025, in Gurugram
Award Winner Score
Closet to Pin #4: Mr. Takahito Tanifuji (3’5”)
Longest Drive: Mr. Jagdeep Ghai (339 ft)
Booby Maker “Wooden Spoon”: Ms Yuki Tanaka (6)
Booby “Wooden Spoon”: Mr. Yoshihiro YAMA (5)
Lady Net Winner: Ms. Machiko Okawara (29)
Runner-up Net Score: Mr. Varun Singal (39)
Winner Net Score: Mr. Tsuneo Komiyama (40)
Gross Winner Award: Mr. Anish Sharma (79)
Hole in One: Mr. Tetsuya Hagiwara & Dong Sung Pak
List of Sponsors
–MET City
–Amity Global School
–ZEUS Law
–AJU Hotel
–PDS International
–EBISU Japanese Restaurants
–BTTN Mobility
–Ahuja Residency
–Beam Suntory
–Joe’s Craft Beer
–Rad Elan Distributors
–KIKKOMAN
–Delhi GolfZone
