Onazi hails CitySports Foundation 1,000 Boots project

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Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has applauded CitySports Foundation’s ambitious 1,000 Boots Project, describing it as a timely intervention for grassroots football development in Nigeria.

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The initiative, organised by CitySports Africa and executed through its non-profit arm, CitySports Foundation, saw 1,000 underserved children between the ages of 8 and 18 receive free football boots at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Adidas donated 100 pairs of boots to complete the distribution.

Hundreds of children arrived before dawn and went through a screening process conducted on a first-come, first-served basis before taking their seats for the distribution.

Onazi, who was present at the event, praised the commitment shown by the beneficiaries, noting that their early arrival reflected a deeper hunger to succeed in football.

“The passion these kids showed by coming out so early in the morning tells you everything about their hunger to succeed,” the former Lazio midfielder said at the event.

He added, “This is exactly what Nigerian football needs at the grassroots level. When you see children willing to wake up at dawn just to get a pair of boots, you realise talent is not the problem — it’s access to basic equipment. I’m proud to support this initiative.”

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The Chief Executive Officer of CitySports Africa, Shola Opaleye, said the turnout reinforced the urgency of the project, which he described as child-centred and impact-driven.

“Today was beautiful. Seeing thousands of children, parents, youth leaders, coaches, and volunteers here confirms what we already knew — the need is real and urgent,” Mr Opaleye told reporters

He explained that the project goes beyond charity, stressing its role in restoring confidence and dignity to young players.

“This is for them. Every single child who got boots today, we’re telling them: ‘You matter. Your dreams matter. And we’re here to support you.’ You are giving them dignity, access, and the right to start dreaming. 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. And for those who didn’t get boots today, we are not done; there will be many more opportunities,” he said.

Mr Opaleye also used the occasion to appreciate partners and sponsors who supported the project, including TotalEnergies, Union Bank, Adidas, Coollink High-Speed Internet and the Bank of Industry.

“We want to first of all thank all our partners who rallied behind us to make this dream a reality… Thank you, Adidas, for giving boots, because I really don’t know where I would have gotten 1000 boots from,” he said, while acknowledging the Bank of Industry’s long-standing support.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, commended the initiative, describing it as a bottom-up model for sports development.

“Our governor has really invested in sports, and the results of his administration’s investment are yielding fruitful dividends,” he said, praising Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Onazi also charged the young footballers to see the programme as more than a giveaway, urging discipline and hard work.

“I know how it feels for you to wait patiently to get your first boots… Do not see these initiatives as another opportunity to get a gift; rather, you should all see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relaunch your career,” he told the children.

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Representatives of sponsors TotalEnergies, Union Bank, Adidas, and Coollink High-Speed Internet were present at the event, which also included skill sessions, leadership engagements, and a community AFCON viewing experience.

CitySports Africa said plans are underway to expand the boot-distribution initiative beyond Lagos in 2026, with the long-term goal of making it a quarterly event from 2027.