Former Bundesliga Goalkeeper Darius Kampa Tells 90min About His Campaign to Spread Positivity During the Pandemic

Former Bundesliga goalkeeper Darius Kampa has launched a campaign to give people across the world hope during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The 43-year-old's website, Victory Over Corona, publishes uplifting recovery statistics and news stories to counteract what he perceives as overly negative media coverage of the pandemic.

Kampa started his footballing career at Augsburg in 1995, going on to enjoy spells at Nurnberg, Borussia Monchengladbach and several other clubs before announcing his retirement in 2011.

While many players opt to take up coaching or punditry when their playing days come to an end, the Polish born stopper has instead opted to launch a campaign to spread positivity during these uncertain times.

"I not only want to be a role model for my children to develop their solidarity, teamwork and responsibility," he told 90min.

"I also want to be a role model for other people, young or old, regardless of their nationality - people with or without comfortable opportunities. During this time 'good news' is needed, even in difficult times. People also need it to believe in themselves, to be active, to stay or to become."

Kampa insisted that his project is not a criticism of the German authorities' handling of the virus, but more an attempt to spread hope across the world. Victory Over Corona has already partnered with Augsburg, one of his former clubs, and he continues to explore other networking opportunities within the football industry.

The Bundesliga's return has spraked plenty of lively debate - mainly pertaining to player safety - recently, but Kampa has said he supports the decision as it has lifted the nation's morale.

"The security concept presented by the DFL is absolutely top. Under these conditions, I welcome the restart, but it must be clear that player protection is respected and you cannot return to normality from one day to the next," he explained.

"The resumption of gaming operations gives many people the feeling that something is going ahead, we can experience a certain spirit of optimism. In addition to all the difficulties, I see this signal effect as very positive."