Youth Sports Spotlight: Grassroots Programs in Focus as Bogotá Prepares for Major Venue Developments

LA LIGA opened its first Schools centre in Bogotá in partnership with COMPENSAR to boost grassroots football development, marking the only active programme of its kind in South America.

Why Youth Initiatives Matter Now

The opening of this centre aligns with the city's move toward expanded sports infrastructure. Bogotá signed a $604 million PPP contract in June 2024 to build the new El Campín Cultural and Sports Complex. The new Nemesio Camacho El Campín Stadium will hold over 46,000-50,000 spectators and become operational by December 2027. Youth programmes provide the foundation for sustained participation once the facility opens.

Established Local Efforts on the Ground

Programmes already active in the city include the foundation Tiempo de Juego, which empowers vulnerable youth in Bogotá's Cazuca district through football training and has earned a FIFA seal of approval. Alset Bolton, a youth club formed in Bogotá in 2013, helps over 1,200 young Colombians access competitive sports while preparing them for life beyond the pitch. Ciudad Bolívar benefits from ESPN's multifunctional sports space, which delivers the 'A Ganar' program teaching employability skills to young people through sports. Bossaball was declared a new school sport in Bogotá in November 2015 and is integrated into the IDRD government-funded 'Jornada Completa' program for at-risk youth.

Path Forward for Participants and Venues

These initiatives continue to operate across districts such as Cazuca and Ciudad Bolívar. The new complex, which includes indoor sports areas and a sports medicine clinic, will offer additional space once construction concludes in 2027. Residents can follow updates through the IDRD and COMPENSAR channels for registration details in existing programmes.