NAIROBI, November 7 – Samsung has donated Sh13 million to Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) which will be used in the NextHero football campaign programme.
The campaign will seek to identify and nurture future football heroes and heroines.
Speaking during a colourful gala on Thursday night during which 31 boys and girls received a one year academic scholarship worth Sh30,000 each, Samsung Electronics Managing Director John Lee said his company will continue giving support to the programme which aims at developing upcoming talent from the grass root level.
“Samsung is proud to work with MYSA in developing sports programmes in the country and the world at large,” he said.
Lee added that Samsung had set its sights on developing talent in four African countries namely Egypt, South Africa, Niger and Kenya through the Samsung NextHero campaign.
“I sincerely congratulate the 31 boys and girls selected from the NextHero football campaign as they set their dreams on becoming one of the best not only in Africa but in the rest of the world,” he observed.
Chairman and founder of MYSA Bob Munro hailed the achievements of the young boys and girls who received the scholarships saying that the initiative played an important role in inspiring, nurturing and recognizing talent.
“The best achievement and the most important thing of MYSA is to generate good role models and heroes in our society which is the most powerful thing as they have an opportunity to showcase their talent and becoming champions,” Munro stated.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Kinuthia Murugu said the government appreciated the sports programme that has enabled many youngsters become good sports ambassadors in the country by promoting unity, understanding and courage.
“This evening we join 31 youngsters in celebrating their achievement and it is for this reason the government has recognized the important role of sports and positively identify and develop sporting potential of our youths to ensure that the youths have maximum benefit from sports,” Kinuthia explained.
The PS noted that the government was committed to ensure that school and community sports facilities are protected from land grabbers by individuals and he applauded the partnership between Samsung and MYSA for helping Kenya grow its football potential.
MYSA’s executive director Peter Karanja said the establishment of MYSA championships and the girls inter provincial championships has enabled youth to nurture their talent through the MYSA sporting zones that address football in Nairobi.
Karanja added the self development centre will enhance the partnership with Samsung as it promotes and acknowledges scholarship schemes that enable children develop their talent through the youth programmes in MYSA zones as they are an integral part of a successful society.
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