UNCCD welcomes international football star and Nigeria's national team captain to its team of athletes united for land.
Shahnoor Saqib (UNCCD Desk)
Bonn – 25 May 2025 – On this World Football Day, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is proud to announce William Troost-Ekong, captain of Nigeria’s national football team and professional player for the Saudi Pro League Al-Kholood FC, as the latest Sport4Land Champion. He joins a growing movement of high-profile athletes committed to using the power of sport to raise awareness and take action against desertification, land degradation and drought.
Troost-Ekong becomes the fifth Sport4Land Champion, joining Moroccan judo champion Asmaa Niang, Togo's Olympic hurdle jumper Naomi Akakpo, Dutch Paralympian and wheelchair basketball champion Jitske Visser, and Ivorian national football team captain Franck Kessié—a diverse group of sports leaders advocating for healthy land that sustains us all. Together, they form a united front for land restoration, climate resilience and sustainable development.
As a Sport4Land Champion, Troost-Ekong will use his influence to promote land restoration initiatives across Africa and around the world. Through community outreach, youth engagement and high-visibility initiatives, he aims to inspire urgent action to restore degraded land and protect the livelihoods of millions who depend on it.