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Lahm takes on charity job

April 22, 2015

Bayern Munich's captain Philipp Lahm says he wants to commit to helping others in the sports world. The former German international has signed up to be an ambassador for the German Sports Lottery.

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Gesellschafter der Deutschen Sportlotterie Philipp Lahm
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Gebert

Philipp Lahm is one of the most famous German footballers ever. Now, the Bayern Munich captain has decided to use his popularity to help athletes from other sports get ahead by becoming an ambassador for the German Sports Lottery.

"I want to do something useful," said the 2014 World Cup winner. "Many top athletes out there are struggling to survive."

"I am fortunate that my sport is very much in focus and that means I'm financially secure," Lahm added.

The 31-year-old is the most famous face to be recruited by charity founder and three-time World Champion discus thrower Robert Harting. Former Olympic boxing Gold Medalist Henry Maske is also on the team.

"Lahm's popularity, credibility and integrity is a quantum jump for the sports lottery," said Gerald Wagener, co-founder of the set-up.

By selling lottery tickets to the general public, the organization aims to improve funding and social safeguarding of leading sportsmen and women in Germany. Some 30 percent of the lottery's income flows through either directly to athletes, or to Germany's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

jh/al (dpa, SID)