Professional footballers are more than just players. Besides devoting long hours to excel in their profession, many of them use their platform to bring positive changes in society.
Each year, FIFPRO honors footballers who invest in their community by awarding them the Merit Prize. At its next general assembly, which will be held in Indonesia from November 26 to 28, FIFPRO will announce the winners, divided into three categories:
- Player Activism Award : to bring about political or social change
- Player Impact Award : trying to influence the lives of others
- Player’s Voice Award: highlight a problem and influence change
FIFPRO member unions have nominated eight candidates for this year’s Merit Awards, showcasing their players and their commitment to supporting others. Find out how these eight players used their platform to make a positive difference.
Baometu Junior
Club: DC Cat Modern
Pays: DR Congo
Initiative: Fondation Nadine Longo Baometu (Fonalba)
The junior defender Baometuselected by DR Congo, and his wife Nadine created the Nadine Longo Baometu Foundation (Fonalba) to educate and empower women and girls who are victims of violence in eastern DR Congo. Many of these women and girls have lost their families. Fonalba provides girls with school materials so they can study and also offers women training to help them with their job prospects.
Canada
