How To Become a Successful Football Player

The visionary founder of the VOE Foundation and a key partner in Bayern München’s International Youth Programs. Join us as we explore the intersection of football, philanthropy, and community building with a leader who is shaping the future of youth development on and off the field.

Welcome to Rise Up Magazine, where we delve into the stories of individuals making significant impact in both sports and social change. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Victor Obinna Edeh, the visionary founder of the VOE Foundation and a key partner in Bayern München’s International Youth programs. Join us as we explore the intersection of football, philanthropy, and community building with a leader who is shaping the future of youth development on and off the field.

RUM Being involved in both the sporting and philanthropic spheres, how do you believe sports can serve as a catalyst for positive social change?

VOE Sports is a representation of life. Team sports for example is the only venture where a group of people who speak different languages that they each cannot understand come together to work for a common goal/outcome. Through sports, participants learn discipline, respect, responsibility, collaboration, how to adapt to challenges, being magnanimous in victory and importantly how to lose/act when outcomes don’t go the team’s way; these are all life skills that lead to positive social change in the society.

RUM Share with us some key principles or values that guide VOE Foundation in its efforts to make a difference in the lives of young individuals.

VOE Supporting dreams. That’s really it. Young individuals that we support have to have a dream coupled with the right attitude, a willingness to put in the work to learn/develop before we consider their ability. We also treat milestones on the path of the achieving dreams as successes. 

RUM As a founder, what have been your proudest moments or achievements with VOE Foundation so far?

VOE I would be easy to say watching the boys win world titles representing Nigeria in Germany and seeing them recognised for their hard-work, or perhaps watching them turn professionals. Though that ranks highly, my proudest moments are actually being able to give these young athletes the platform to showcase their God given talent and seeing the sense of pride and hope they show when they participate in our projects and put on our kits. 
I am proud that through our projects, a lot of these athletes are now able to cater for themselves and their families.

RUM How do you navigate the logistical and organizational aspects of managing a foundation while also participating in international football collaborations?

VOE Experience and education are critical here. Having participated in sports for all of my life and now working at the highest level in sports for over a decade, I have gathered a lot of experience from the industry, learning from my successes and mistakes. It helps that I have a large network within the industry that I can always rely on for perspective and guidance when I encounter and need to navigate challenges. My education in Engineering and Management provides me organisational and logistical management training that comes in handy for our operations. 

RUM In your experience, how does participation in football and sports programs contribute to the holistic development of young individuals?

VOE Apart from sports participation contributing to a healthy lifestyle, young individuals who participate in sports form lifelong friendships with fellow participants. Sports also opens doors to some of the best education programs in the world through sports scholarships. Decision making is critical in sports and young individuals can hone this life skill as a result of taking part in sports. 

RUM Can you highlight any specific initiatives within VOE Foundation that focus on promoting inclusivity and diversity in youth football?

VOE While we have excellence at the heart of everything we do, giving everyone an opportunity to show what they can do is paramount. Our events are hosted at numerous locations all over the country to ensure that talented young people do not miss the chance to participate due to distance or inability to come to us. Our presence online also gives everyone access to information pertaining what we do and how they can be a part. 

RUM As a partner of Bayern München International Youth programs, how do you ensure that the values of fair play and sportsmanship are emphasized among the participating teams?

VOE Orientation is key and our message to participants is clear on fair play, respect, integrity and sportsmanship. Our selected athletes are announced at the end of every tournament to the applause of every participant and for over 6 years, we have not had one incident where participants express disappointment in the selection. When organisation and leadership exhibits integrity, it is easy for participants to follow suite.

RUM What role do you see technology playing in the future of youth football development, and how is VOE Foundation adapting to these changes?

VOE Innovation and technology is key in almost every area of life. Football and sports is not left behind. VOE foundation is at the forefront of adopting technology in sports, from AI powered cameras that make it easier to record games and trainings, to partnering with technology companies like Afriskaut who provide us with match analysis and empirical scouting. This allows us access more locations that we previously could. Our coach academy is carried out remotely with lectures from the FC Bayern campus supporting coaches all over africa, a feat that would be impossible without tech. 

RUM Share a bit about your personal journey and how your passion for football led you to establish VOE Foundation and engage in impactful collaborations.

VOE I found my purpose quite early. As a 5 year old, I was already staying up to watch football and was abreast with all the key actors in the sports. I have been fortunate to participate in all aspects of football, from being a fan, through being a ball boy, player, stadium steward, coach and now administrator. Like millions of young kids, I wanted to be a professional footballer as a child and represent Nigeria. I am glad that I have represented Nigeria at different points and in different capacities. The key reason behind setting up the foundation was because many people who I grew up with, who had the ability to be great sportspeople never got the opportunity to show the world their sporting gift. I derive great satisfaction from giving young athletes the platform to realise their dreams and leave an impact on their families and society at large. 

RUM Finally, what message would you like to convey to our readers regarding the importance of supporting youth sports initiatives and social impact organizations like VOE Foundation?

VOE I’d like to express my gratitude to the readers for engaging with my story and my project. With the current political and economic climate of our society, it is critical to give young people hope and an opportunity to express their abilities so that they do not channel them to vices that can bring disrepute to the society. I call on people with means to support social impact projects so that we all can benefit from a society with better value.