The German Bundesliga, in partnership with EA Sports, has concluded an inspiring eight-week youth football programme in Lagos, Nigeria, aimed at developing not just football skills but also essential life values among children.
Held at the Bundesliga Common Ground facility in Ijaiye-Ojokoro, the “Bundesliga EA Clinic” provided young participants with football training sessions and character-building workshops designed to foster teamwork, creativity, responsibility, discipline, and respect.
The grand finale of the programme featured the unveiling of the iconic Bundesliga Meisterschale (Championship Shield) — a rare moment that visibly energized and inspired the children.
Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, who was present at the closing ceremony, commended the Bundesliga for its long-standing support of youth development and encouraged the children to take the lessons learned both on and off the pitch to heart.
“Football teaches you more than how to play — it teaches you how to live, how to persevere, and how to succeed,” Okocha said, as certificates were handed out to the young players. “These children are not just learning to pass or shoot. They are learning how to be leaders, teammates, and responsible citizens.”
Also attending the ceremony was Diego Contento, a former Bayern Munich defender and UEFA Champions League winner, who engaged with the children and echoed the importance of combining passion with discipline.
The Bundesliga Common Ground in Lagos, launched in 2022, is part of a global movement by the Bundesliga to create safe, inclusive spaces for children and communities.
Similar projects have been launched in cities including New York, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Jakarta, and Buenos Aires, demonstrating the league’s commitment to grassroots football and global youth empowerment.
