NAIROBI, September 23- Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) on Tuesday received equipment worth Sh1million shillings from the German Football Association.
The donation was made at the end of a workshop where the findings of a study titled ‘The Role of Sports in Community Development’ which was carried out by MYSA in collaboration with Trier University and Kenyatta University.
German ambassador to Kenya Walter Lindner who made the donation on behalf of the association said that sports can be used to bridge the gap between poverty and development.
“Sports and culture is one of the links that can make a difference in a community. Young people can use sports to make a difference and as an avenue out of poverty which MYSA has enabled to do,” said Lindner.
MYSA public affairs officer Ismail Hussein told Capital Sport that the two week workshop set out to establish the links between sports and how it can be used to develop impoverished communities.
“MYSA was chosen by this university as part of this case study because it has forged a reputation not just in Kenya but globally as well and the purpose of this workshop today was to receive the results of their study,” said Hussein.
Daniel Biallas, a participant at the workshop said that the project will yield more fruit if grassroot structures are put in place.
“Wherever you go in the world, sports is usually the answer to many social problems and we hope that the findings we presented today will help MYSA continue their work in providing Kenya youth a chance to progress positively,” said Biallas.
Some of the main objectives of the project is to raise awareness about sports as a tool to achieve development and peace, foster development agendas and to ensure due attention is accorded to cultural and traditional dimensions.
Project Coordinator Dr. Johannes Michael Nebe praised MYSA in their role of developing the youth.
“Sports is considered a catalyst which attracts young people and can also be a valuable entry point for mobilizing the younger generation to social life and personal development,” said Nebe.
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