Mikasa Sports


Mikasa Corporation is a Japanese sports equipment and athletic goods company with its international corporate headquarters located in Nishi-ku, Hiroshima, Chūgoku. Specializing in equipment for ball games, the balls manufactured by Mikasa for sports football, korfbal, basketball, volleyball, waterpolo and handball are often used for official matches, games and competitions.
Most notably, Mikasa volleyballs are the official balls for all Fédération Internationale de Volleyball worldwide competitions, and numerous domestic leagues outside of North America. Mikasa volleyballs are the official ball for the Olympics. Presently clubs, regions, high schools, colleges, and tournaments throughout the U.S. use Mikasa volleyballs.

History

Since 1980, Mikasa has produced the official water polo ball of choice for Olympic purposes. In the 2000s, Mikasa was faced with allegations of labor violations in some factories in Thailand. The ITUC published a report alleging anti-labor campaigns by company management. The report detailed allegations of unethical labor practices such as the penalization of union leaders and labor organizers via discriminatory transfers and unjust disciplinary procedures. The ITUC argued that Mikasa succeeded in either forcing the resignation of most of the factory's union committee in an affront to the right of its employees to organize. The Thai Labor Campaign alleged that new Mikasa factory workers received only 173 baht per day.

Products

Mikasa makes many different types of balls, including goods for basketball, beach and indoor volleyball, football, rugby union, waterpolo, korfball, American football and rugby football.

Sponsorships

Mikasa has been the official ball provider for the following leagues and associations, in addition to having exclusive agreements with some prominent athletes:

Volleyball

Athletes