The Sommerschield multipurpose sports court in Maputo has been given a new lease of life. The space, once worn down by time and disuse, has been reborn with colour, freshness and purpose thanks to the project As Novas Cores da Juventude (The New Colours of Youth), an initiative by 888Bets that brings together sport, art and community development. The official handover ceremony took place on 14 November 2025 and brought together residents, young athletes, municipal representatives and members of the brand, in a moment marked by enthusiasm and a sense of belonging. This is the first step of an ambitious project that aims to reach several provinces of the country, rehabilitating community pitches and creating places for people to come together that promote well-being, inclusion and local pride. For 888Bets, it is not just about painting surfaces or installing equipment. It is a genuine commitment to communities, aligned with its ESG strategy, which guides the company's work along three essential lines: environmental sustainability, social responsibility and transparency in management.
A pitch that tells stories
The space was transformed by the talent of Sebastião Coana, a Mozambican artist whose visual signature combines cultural symbolism, chromatic rhythm and expressions that speak directly to the everyday life of communities. The pitch, now vibrant, is more than a place to train. It is also a meeting point, an open mural, a symbol of renewal. “True sustainability begins with people. When we give colour and life to spaces, we also give communities new possibilities,” said the artist, explaining that the painting started from local cultural elements and sought to create an intuitive bridge between art, identity and sporting practice. Coana also led a workshop with local young people, who learnt civil, industrial and artistic painting techniques. It is a gesture that goes beyond decorating walls and becomes an opportunity for skills development and possible income generation. “It is a great source of pride to know that the visual arts can generate self-employment and walk side by side with sport,” he added.
A legacy that begins in the present
For 888Bets, this action is only the beginning. Romero Bay, the brand's Managing Director in Mozambique, described the project as “the laying of the first stone” of a broader social responsibility plan. “Our intention is to replicate this initiative across the whole country,” he stressed. “We want every pitch to tell a story of overcoming, energy and community. We believe that real impact is born when we transform places and touch lives.” The company further emphasises that sport is a powerful vehicle for transformation, especially for young people. In Mozambique, basketball means training, discipline, companionship and hope. Upgrading spaces where young people can play basketball, football, handball or other sports, safely and inclusively, is a direct investment in the future.
The pitch therefore received several structural improvements, including solar panels that allow the space to be used in the late afternoon and at night, guaranteeing safety and encouraging sport outside school or working hours. In addition, 888Bets maintains an open dialogue with the municipality and is looking for new partners who wish to support similar initiatives. Later on, the brand plans to organise additional activities, such as tournaments between neighbourhoods and districts, although the immediate focus is the rehabilitation of the pitches.
A partnership that gives life back to cities
Maputo City Council welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in upgrading urban infrastructure and promoting opportunities for young people. The project's impact goes beyond sport. It touches the urban, cultural and social dimensions of the city, strengthening community ties and bringing residents closer to their spaces. With As Novas Cores da Juventude, 888Bets reaffirms the place it intends to occupy in the country: that of an active partner of society, a promoter of inclusion and a champion of a more vibrant, safe and sustainable future. If the first court is the beginning, the movement ahead has the potential to transform landscapes, stories and generations. Maputo has witnessed the birth of a project that colours the present and inspires tomorrow.
