Last updated : Thursday, 27 June 2024
Mathare Youth Sports Association League
The Mathare Youth Sports Association League (MYSA) is an amateur football league based in Mathare, a collection of slums in Nairobi, Kenya.
MYSA was founded in 1987 by James Thuo, a former gang member who saw the potential of football to help young people in the slums. The league now has over 24,000 members, and has helped to reduce crime, improve education, and promote health and HIV/AIDS awareness in the community.
How it works
MYSA operates a community-based model, with teams organized at the local level. Teams compete in weekly leagues, and the top teams advance to playoffs. The league also offers a variety of other programs, such as coaching education, refereeing training, and life skills training.
The league is funded by a variety of sources, including donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. MYSA is also a member of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which provides financial support and other resources to help the league achieve its goals.
Impact
MYSA has had a significant impact on the lives of young people in Mathare. The league has helped to reduce crime, improve education, and promote health and HIV/AIDS awareness. MYSA has also helped to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills and talents, and to build relationships with positive role models.
In addition to its work in Mathare, MYSA has also expanded its reach to other slums in Nairobi and to other parts of Kenya. The league has also partnered with organizations in other countries to help replicate its model.
Sources
- Mathare Youth Sports Association (sportanddev.org)
- Mathare Youth Sports Association [with Laureus Sport for Good Foundation] (solfoundation.li)
- Mathare Youth Sports Association (Wikipedia)
