Last updated : Monday, 01 July 2024
About Mysa
Mysa, or the Mathare Youth Sports Association, is an amateur football league in Kenya. It was founded in 1987 by James Mwangi to provide opportunities for young people in the Mathare slum to play football and stay out of trouble.
Mysa is now the largest amateur football league in Kenya, with over 10,000 players registered. It offers a variety of divisions for players of all ages and abilities, including a women's league.
Mysa also runs a number of other programs, such as a coaching academy, a refereeing academy, and a sports medicine program. It also works with local schools and businesses to provide scholarships and other support to its players.
Mysa has been recognized for its work by a number of organizations, including FIFA, the United Nations, and the US State Department. It has also been featured in a number of documentaries, including the 2011 film "Kicking It."
Mysa's Impact
Mysa has had a significant impact on the lives of young people in Mathare. It has provided them with a safe and structured environment to play football, as well as opportunities to learn life skills and develop leadership qualities.
Mysa has also helped to reduce crime and violence in Mathare. A study by the University of Nairobi found that young people who participated in Mysa were less likely to be involved in crime than those who did not.
In addition, Mysa has helped to raise the profile of Mathare and its young people. The league has hosted a number of international matches, and its players have gone on to represent Kenya at the national level.
