CitySports Foundation, the social impact arm of CitySports Africa, has launched its flagship 1,000 Boots Project, a youth empowerment initiative aimed at distributing free football boots to underserved children while also providing leadership and development support. The maiden edition will take place on December 23 at the National Stadium in Surulere, where more than 1,000 boys and girls are expected to benefit from free gear and learning opportunities.
The Chief Executive Officer of CitySports Africa, Shola Opaleye, said the initiative was created to break a barrier that has stopped many talented young players from advancing in football. According to him, access to proper equipment is often the first missing step for young athletes. “You are giving him dignity. You are giving him access. And you are also giving him the right to start to dream. Because all the while, the dream has always been somewhere, but you can’t move to the next step because the tools are not available,” he said.
Opaleye explained that although the first edition is holding in Lagos, the vision is continental. “Beyond Nigeria, we have this programme. We’re starting now in Lagos. This is the first time we’re doing this, and we’re grateful for the people who have backed it up until now. We intend to go across Africa,” he stated.
He noted that millions of young Africans play football weekly, often without boots or with improvised footwear, even though football remains one of the continent’s strongest platforms for youth connection. “Talent is everywhere, but what they just lack is access,” he said.
To show the possible impact the project may have, Opaleye referred to the early struggles of Senegalese star Sadio Mané, who once attended a trial without boots and wearing torn shorts before receiving his first pair from a coach. “Somewhere in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal or Rwanda, there is another Mané, a child whose destiny can change with a single pair of boots,” he added.
He said CitySports Africa has a clear growth goal for youth development. “CitySports, we have a goal. The target for us is that every year, we want to impact one million youth positively through sports. By 2035, we want to empower 10 million youth through sports.”
The 1,000 Boots Project is one of several tools designed to help reach that target. According to him, “This 1,000 Boots Project that is starting now is one of the tools I put together this year for the first time to help us achieve that. Tomorrow it may be 10,000 boots. It may be 50,000. Before you know it, we could have given out one million boots to African boys and girls. But this is the beginning of what we believe is a great journey,” he stated.
CitySports Africa confirmed that the launch event will include skill sessions, leadership engagements and a community AFCON viewing experience supported by TotalEnergies. More than 2,000 children, parents, youth leaders, coaches and volunteers are expected to attend.
Opaleye stressed that beneficiaries will not be pre-selected and encouraged children to attend freely. “We have zero slots set already. Just show up on that day,” he said.
While calling for support from corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations and individuals, he appealed for contributions in different forms. “We need to help these young people. The least we can do—if we have the means—is to contribute. It’s not just about money. Some have cameras, some have voices. Other organisations can fund boots. Others can fund food or Christmas activities.”
CitySports Africa plans to scale the boot distribution beyond Lagos starting in 2026. Steps are ongoing to make it a quarterly activity from 2027 to ensure continuous reach and expansion.
Earlier in July, CitySports Foundation hosted its Community Goalkeepers Summit in Lagos, where over 600 young athletes received mentorship, fitness gear and coaching support from former Super Eagles players and sports psychologists. The organisation said the event marked the first step in combining equipment distribution with leadership development.
It noted that the model is now expanding through the 1,000 Boots Project, which signals a shift toward large-scale youth inclusion through football across Africa.
