By Jacob Ajom

CitySports Foundation, the social impact branch of CitySports Africa, has launched the 1000 Boots Project in Lagos to nurture talent across Nigeria and Africa.
At a press conference, Founder Shola Opaleye described the initiative as a transformational youth empowerment program aimed at providing underserved children with high-quality football boots, leadership training, and structured sports development opportunities.
The inaugural event will take place on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, attracting over 2,000 participants for a day of sports activities, leadership engagement, and a community viewing of the AFCON match between Nigeria and Tanzania.
This project aligns with the Foundation’s mission to empower one million African youth annually through sports and community interventions. “Africa is the youngest continent.
Investing in our youth is an obligation if we want a successful future,” Opaleye stated. He emphasised that receiving boots can significantly boost a child’s confidence and sense of self-worth.
The initiative also supports CitySports Africa’s 2035 Vision to empower 10 million African children by providing access to sports development, competitions, coaching, mentorship, and career pathways. “There will be music and plenty of food, with professional crowd control and security in place for safety,” Opaleye assured.