Our work
02-5HERO PROJECT
Overview
Through our activities, we came to an important realization: for children to change, the young people around them must first change and become the leaders and guides they need. The HERO PROJECT was created to develop “heroes” who can lead children toward a future filled with hope. It is a project that changes the future. By putting into practice the belief of “awakening to your potential, making the effort, and living by making the most of your talents,” we support young athletes with dreams and determination—though not yet widely known—in becoming heroes. As they take their first steps forward, they inspire the next generation of young people to do the same. This chain of inspiration is the very essence of the HERO PROJECT.
Developing Heroes Around the World to Guide and Inspire Future Generations
REALE WORLD provides future heroes with the skills, environment, and mindset they need to take on the world. When they step forward to pursue challenges around the world, they become role models of “Take Action, Make the Future” for the next generation of children, encouraging them to take on challenges of their own.
REALE WORLD is a small non-profit organization based in Japan. By developing heroes who will work alongside us in different parts of the world, we hope to positively influence many children across the globe and guide them toward a brighter future.
HERO PROJECT Leader
The leader of the HERO PROJECT is Santosh Shahukhala, a board member of REALE WORLD and a legend of Nepalese football. Mr. Shahukhala is a former Nepal national team forward and continues to play professionally. Together with professional football players and others involved in the football community who share the vision of the HERO PROJECT, he leads the project with a strong commitment to developing young people.
Nepalese Football Legend and All-Time League Top Scorer
Santosh ShahukhalaSantosh Shahukhala
In 2003, Santosh Shahukhala signed with Three Star Club, a top-division club in Nepal, and made his professional debut at the age of 15. He later played for several clubs, including APF Club, Manang Marsyangdi Club, and Chyasal Youth Club, while also representing Nepal in numerous international matches. He became the first player to score 100 league goals in Nepal, securing his place in the history of Nepalese football. As of June 2023, he holds the league’s all-time scoring record with 105 goals. In addition to his exceptional talent as a striker, he has also demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his career.
HERO PROJECT NEPAL
In 2019, the HERO PROJECT began in Nepal with Santosh Shahukhala and a group of young players who shared the project’s vision. Together, they are boldly taking on the challenge of transforming football in Nepal and transforming Nepalese society.
Nepal National Team Captain and AFC Weekly Best Player
Kiran Kumar LimbuKiran Kumar Limbu (Chemjong)
Born in Nepal in 1990, Kiran Kumar Limbu made his professional debut in Nepal’s A Division League, the country’s top division, in 2008. In the same year, he also made his debut for the Nepal national team. Since then, he has served as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper for 19 years and currently captains the national team. Known for his outstanding agility and quick decision-making, he possesses the qualities to lead a team both on and off the field. He has played for numerous clubs in Nepal and abroad, including Three Star Club and Manang Marsyangdi Club. He also competed in the leagues of India and the Maldives, winning league championships in both countries. From 2023 to 2024, he played for Punjab FC in the Indian Super League. Since August 2025, he has played for Bangladesh Police FC. He is one of the leading figures of the HERO PROJECT in Nepal and actively participates in social contribution activities during the off-season.
Former Nepal National Team Player
Tshring GurungTshring Gurung
Born in 1998 in Ilam District in eastern Nepal, near the Indian border. In 2013, he was selected for Nepal’s U-16 national team. In 2015, he represented the U-19 national team, and from 2016 to 2019 he played for Nepal’s U-23 national team. In 2018, he began playing professionally for Chyasal Youth Club in Nepal’s A Division League. In November 2020, he fulfilled a long-held dream by making his debut for the Nepal national team. From 2021 to 2023, he played for Machhindra FC. He has also been a member of the HERO PROJECT since 2019. While continuing to play professionally in Nepal’s top league, he spends his off-season coaching children in his hometown village.
Nepal National Team Player
Abhisekh LimbuAbhisekh Limbu
Born in Morang District in eastern Nepal. In 2016, he made his professional debut with Boys Union Club in Nepal’s B Division League. In 2018, he played for Sankata Club in the B Division League. From 2020 to 2022, he played for Chyasal Youth Club in Nepal’s A Division League. In 2022, he was selected for Nepal’s U-23 national team, and in February 2024 he fulfilled a long-held dream by being selected for the Nepal national team. He has been a member of the HERO PROJECT since 2022 and actively coaches children in his local community during the off-season. Since September 2025, he has played for Rahmatganj MFS in Bangladesh.
Rising Star of the Nepal National Team
Ayush GhalanAyush Ghalan
In 2021, he made his professional debut with Pokhara Thunders. From 2021, he represented Nepal’s U-20 national team, and from 2022 he began playing for the Nepal national team. He has been a member of the HERO PROJECT since 2025. Since August 2025, he has played for Bangladesh Police FC.
HERO PROJECT JAPAN
Under the guidance of Santosh Shahukhala, these members of HERO PROJECT JAPAN continue to boldly challenge themselves with the goal of becoming heroes who can give children dreams and hope, lead them as role models, and inspire the next generation.
Winner of Multiple Best Goalkeeper and Man of the Match Awards
Yuya KuriyamaYuya Kuriyama
While playing for Shizuoka Sangyo University, Kuriyama happened to meet Santosh Shahukhala during an individual training session in 2021, his fourth year at university, and became a member of the HERO PROJECT. Encouraged by Santosh, he challenged himself at a professional league trial in Nepal. Despite facing numerous difficulties, he continued working hard, earned a contract with APF, and made his professional debut. In 2021, he played for APF Football Team in Nepal’s A Division League. In 2022, he played for Thimphu City FC in the Bhutan Premier League. In 2023, he returned to APF in Nepal’s A Division League. In 2024, he played for Manila Digger FC in the Philippines’ first division. From January 2025, he played for Sporting Club Bengaluru in India’s I-League, and from August 2025, he played for Yarmanya United FC in the Myanmar Premier League.
Awards
- Best Goalkeeper: 2022 Aha RARA Gold Cup (Nepal) / 2022 Bhutan Premier League / 2023 Bhutan Premier League
- Man of the Match: February 2022 Nepal A Division / December 2022 Bhutan Premier League / February 2025 I-League, twice / November 2025 Myanmar National League
- Best Save Award: 2025 I-League, India
Playing for FC Magdeburg Frauen in Germany
Akane MiyoshiAkane Miyoshi
Akane began playing football with FC REALE in 2010. In 2017, at the age of 14, she was recruited on scholarship to the U-17 girls’ first team at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, one of the world’s largest integrated sports academies. She played for the U-17 girls’ first team from 2017 to 2020. In April 2020, she returned to Japan due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Florida. From 2021 to 2022, she played for SSU Bonita in Japan’s Nadeshiko League Division 2. From July to October 2022, she played for Actonians FC in England’s fourth division. From November 2022, she played for London Bees in the FA Women’s National League South. From September 2023, she played for SV Meppen Frauen FC in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, followed by VfR Warbeyen from August 2025. From July 2026, she has played for FC Magdeburg Frauen.
From an Unknown Player to the Polish League
Daiju YamaokaDaiju Yamaoka
Daiju began playing football with FC REALE. He later joined the football team at Fujieda Meisei High School, where there were eight squad levels, but he started in the fifth team. Determined not to let his journey end there, he decided to take action and moved to Poland during his third year of high school. From 2023 to 2025, he played for GKS Grunwald Ruda Śląska in Poland.
Competing in the German League
Genki MiyoshiGenki Miyoshi
Genki began playing football with FC REALE. From 2023, he played for GKS Grunwald Ruda Śląska in Poland, and from 2025 he has played for FC Düren in Germany.
Professional Debut in the Philippines During His Fourth Year of University
Yuta YamaguchiYuta Yamaguchi
From 2022 to 2025, Yuta played for the Himeji Dokkyo University football team. From August 2025, he has played for DB Garelli United in the Philippines’ first division.
Awards
- Man of the Match: 4 times
- Team of the Week: 9 times
- Team of the Month: 2 times
Turning Professional Overseas — Pursuing a Dream He Nearly Gave Up
Motoya ToyoshimaMotoya Toyoshima
From 2016 to 2018, Motoya played for the Aomori Yamada High School football team. From 2019 to 2022, he played for Juntendo University. From 2023, he joined Tokyo Musashino United. In 2018, he won the National High School Football Championship and was selected as one of the tournament’s outstanding players. In 2019, he was selected for the Japan High School Selection team. After a series of serious injuries, he nearly gave up on becoming a professional player. In August 2025, however, he restarted his journey as a HERO PROJECT member with the goal of becoming a professional overseas. In December 2025, he travelled to Croatia for trials, and from February 2026 he began playing for NK Kamen Podbablje in Croatia’s fourth division.
HERO PROJECT “ZERO”
When a group embodies a shared vision, purpose, or goal, it can become a powerful force that gives people courage and the strength to live. HERO PROJECT “ZERO” aims to create a group of heroes through football who can become role models and sources of inspiration for boys and girls. The presence of such a team can bring hope and strength to people of all ages. Creating energy for the future and inspiring people to believe in what is possible is at the heart of this project. To help the players grow technically and mentally as heroes, we focus on player development through skill training, mental coaching, dedicated physiotherapy support, nutrition education, and opportunities to participate in social contribution activities.
HERO PROJECT “ZERO”: JAPAN
FC REALE JAPAN Top Team
Aiming to become a team whose challenges become someone else’s hope and strength to live
The FC REALE JAPAN top team aims to become strong in football while also becoming heroes who think about society and take action. In its inaugural 2023 season, the team earned promotion from Division 3 to Division 2 of the East Suruga Bay League. In 2024, they won Division 2 and were promoted to Division 1. In 2025, they went on to win Division 1 and remained unbeaten through the promotion playoffs. The team now competes in Division 3 of the Shizuoka Prefectural League. The players also actively participate in social contribution activities, including coaching junior players, serving as referees and event staff at football tournaments, volunteering in local disaster-prevention drills, and assisting with agricultural work in ageing rural communities. To become both stronger players and more valuable members of society, the team also focuses on nutrition education, language learning, mental development, training camps, away trips, and social contribution activities overseas.
HERO PROJECT “ZERO”: NEPAL
FC REALE NEPAL Top Team & Women’s Team
Becoming role models who give children dreams and hope
The teams are made up of young people of high school age and above who are working toward becoming professional players while also coaching FC REALE NEPAL’s children’s teams. Their mission is to embody the belief that “if you keep hope and work hard, a path will open.” By proving this through their own actions, they aim to become role models who give dreams and hope to children who are working hard toward their own goals. They are currently training every day with the goal of earning promotion to Nepal’s professional C Division League. From Japan, we support them through nutrition education, physical conditioning, opportunities to improve their skills in Japan, and assistance in obtaining coaching qualifications.