Osas Ighodaro, David Beckham named Gates Foundation Goalkeepers champions

Osas Ighodaro, Nigerian actress and philanthropist, and former England footballer David Beckham have been named among the 2025 Goalkeepers Champions by the Gates Foundation.

According to the foundation, the list recognises 10 individuals who are dedicated to building a world where the deadliest childhood diseases become a thing of the past.

Ighodaro, founder of Joyful Joy Foundation, was recognised for her work in “advancing malaria awareness across Africa through grassroots activism and her work with the Joyful Joy Foundation”.

She founded the foundation after losing her sister, Joy, to malaria in 2006.

Speaking about her role in raising awareness about malaria, Ighodaro said her drive was “to inform people of what malaria is, to tell stories that inspire, to tell stories that need to be told”.

“That was the platform I decided to hold when I was Miss Black USA,” she added.

Beckham, a former footballer and UNICEF ambassador, was honoured for his commitment to child health advocacy.

Since launching the 7 Fund with UNICEF, he has supported programmes in child health, education, and development while using his platform to raise global awareness of malaria and the fight against preventable diseases.

“Young people deserve our time and our commitment to ensure a more free and fair world. I’m grateful to have been able to use my platform to make their voices heard,” Beckham said.

The other champions include Donald Kaberuka, emeritus chair of the Global Fund in Rwanda, who served as board chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria from 2019 to 2023.

Reem Al-Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation in the UAE, was recognised for championing global immunisation and leading UAE support for Gavi’s vaccine initiatives.

Indian physicians Abhay Bang and Rani Bang were honoured for dedicating their lives to advancing community-driven healthcare in rural India, developing programmes and research methodologies aimed at reducing infant mortality rates.

Krystal Mwesiga Birungi, research and outreach associate at Target Malaria in Uganda, was recognised as an exceptional gene drive champion and community mobiliser who has focused on population dynamics, behaviour, and species composition for over seven years.

Jerop Limo, an adolescent HIV programming expert from Kenya, was honoured for her activism in advancing awareness and inclusive care for children and women living with HIV across Africa.

John Green, an American writer and child health advocate, is a best-selling author recognised for supporting global health efforts through organisations such as Partners In Health and Save the Children. He co-founded Project for Awesome and works to advance public understanding of tuberculosis and mental health.

Naveen Thacker, president of the International Pediatric Association in India, was honoured as a leading voice in India’s immunisation efforts, advising the government on pneumococcal, measles, and rubella vaccines.

Toni Garrn, German supermodel and social entrepreneur, was recognised for her work in advancing education and health for girls in sub-Saharan Africa through the Toni Garrn Foundation, which provides scholarships for secondary school girls and supports the construction of hostels and medical centres.

Also at the event, recognising these 10 changemakers, the 2025 Global Goalkeeper Award was presented to Pedro Sánchez, president of Spain, recognising “his leadership in advancing international cooperation and amplifying the voices of the Global South”.

According to the foundation, Sanchez has led Spain to deepen ties with the Africa Group at the United Nations, convened global leaders at the International Conference on Financing for Development, and expanded support for public health.

“His commitment to international develop and public health has helped boost contributions to the Global Fund by 12% and to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, by 30%. President Sánchez is championing a more inclusive, collaborative approach to solving the world’s most urgent challenges,” the foundation said.