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Earlier today EA SPORTS launched a community football pitch at the Glen Country Club in Clifton, Cape Town, as part of their FC FUTURES initiative in partnership with LALIGA. FC FUTURES is EA SPORTS plan to meaningfully invest in community-level football through product innovation, community investment and partner initiatives across the foundations of football. The pitch unveiling was attended by former Racing de Santander player and N5 Academy owner, Nassief Morris, and local children from his academy from underprivileged communities were invited along for a training session with Morris, where they learnt tricks and tips to develop their skills.
In collaboration with award-winning illustrator and street artist, Karabo Poppy, the pitch was transformed in design with the aim of providing a fun space for the community to enjoy the beautiful game. The design elements are made up of historical and cultural elements of South Africa, capturing the country’s exuberant spirit. With its rich history, football culture in South Africa is deeply ingrained and reflects the nation’s diversity and resilience.
Together, EA SPORTS FC and LALIGA share a common goal to continue growing football from the ground up, and this project in Cape Town is another tangible example of that commitment following the recent launches of refurbished pitches in Malaga and Singapore in recent weeks. Celebrating this momentous occasion, Tresor Penku, LALIGA’s Managing Director for Africa, remarks, “This partnership between EA SPORTS and LALIGA symbolizes our collective commitment to nurturing the next generation of football talent in South Africa. Together, with the launch of FC FUTURES, we embark on a journey to empower youth and elevate the beautiful game to new heights.” “Through FC FUTURES, EA SPORTS FC is investing in the future of football. A future that involves providing young people the tools they need to make a positive impact on the game and pursue their dreams,” said James Salmon, Senior Director, Marketing at EA SPORTS FC. “Our vision is to inspire the world to love football and our mission is to provide greater access to sport. Our continued partnership and investment alongside LALIGA is another step towards this”.
“To have the opportunity to give back to society what society has given us is key for LALIGA. This project, developed together with EA SPORTS, is a great way to do that. We are sure that together we will continue to inspire the world through the values of football and by helping children and young people follow their dreams”, said Jorge de la Vega, Executive Director of LALIGA. . Another of the pillars of the FC FUTURES project aims to provide access to education, both academic and sporting. In support of this, LALIGA and EA SPORTS have agreed to grant 20 annual scholarships to help children from different parts of the world. Namely, they are collaborating with the South African Football Association (SAFA) to select two female U17 players, who will have the remarkable opportunity to journey to Spain and take part in a football scholarship. These scholarships include training carried out through LALIGA ACADEMY at the ESC LALIGA and NBA Sports Centre in Madrid, and aim to develop their football skills whilst continuing their academic studies. Around 10,000 balls will also be distributed through NGOs in different cities around the globe, including in South Africa via the South African Football Association (SAFA), Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), the Nassief Morris N5 Academy and more.
The renovation of this space has been possible thanks to the FIVES Futbol, which has shown support in this social, educational and sports project of EA SPORTS FC and LaLiga.
