Bulgaria Launches Guardian Girls Bulgaria With Budo in Sofia
Guardian Girls International (GGI) officially launched Guardian Girls Bulgaria (GGB), its national committee in Bulgaria, at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Japan at the Japanese Ambassador’s Official Residence in Sofia. The event was hosted by His Excellency Mr. Chikahisa Sumi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Bulgaria, and celebrated Japan-Bulgaria friendship and the role of traditional Japanese budo in empowering women and girls.
Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Sumi and Shin Koyamada, Co-Founder and Secretary General of Guardian Girls International. Their remarks highlighted the importance of international cooperation, sports, and education in advancing women’s empowerment and preventing violence against women and girls.
The reception brought together representatives of Japanese martial arts organizations based in Bulgaria, including Karate, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Aikido, Iaido, Kendo, and Kobudo, highlighting the values of discipline, respect, perseverance, and personal development embodied by Japanese budo.
NATIONAL FEDERATION PARTNERSHIPS
A key highlight was the signing of national Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between GGI and three Bulgarian national sports federations, which joined Guardian Girls Bulgaria as member organizations:
- Bulgarian Judo Federation — represented by President Rumen Stoilov, for Guardian Girls Judo (GGJ).
- Bulgarian Ju-Jitsu Federation — represented by President Plamen Youroukov, for Guardian Girls Ju-Jitsu (GGJJ).
- Bulgarian Aikido Federation — represented by Dr. Tomo Borisov, for Guardian Girls Aikido (GGA).
Through these partnerships, the respective national federations will develop and implement programs across Bulgaria, providing women and adolescent girls—particularly those facing vulnerability or barriers to participation—with opportunities for sports training, education, and capacity building.
Guardian Girls Bulgaria aims to use martial arts and education to strengthen confidence, resilience, leadership, and personal safety while contributing to the prevention of violence against women and girls. The initiative reflects GGI’s broader mission to collaborate with national sports federations, governments, international organizations, educational institutions, and civil society partners to advance women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and safer communities in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
