Kibera A-GOAL League, a football league aiming to provide fun, dreams, and food to children in Kibera slums while protecting their future, will officially launch twice a year from March 2023.The league is a collaboration between A-GOAL, a Japanese NGO, and AGAPE Hope for Kibera, an organization operating a free school in Kibera slum. The goal of the league is to prevent delinquency, alcohol, and drug use among children by playing soccer games every week. The league will also offer a chance for children to be scouted for a paid soccer academy or a free secondary school. The fundraising for the league is ongoing, with A-GOAL and AGAPE having held a football event recently to raise funds for the league.The Kibera A-GOAL League is a unique initiative that uses football to promote positive behavior among children and provide them with a sense of hope and opportunity. Mr. Takumi Kishi, the chairman of A-GOAL, explained, “Through our experience working with children from various backgrounds, we realized that sports can be a powerful tool for children to escape poverty and develop social skills. We hope that the Kibera A-GOAL League will provide a safe space for children to have fun and learn important life skills.”Mr. Rashidi Kenneth, the founder of AGAPE, is one of the organizers of the league and a former Kenyan Premier League player. He spoke about the importance of providing children with an opportunity to dream and pursue their passions: “Football is a powerful tool for children to express themselves and showcase their talent. We believe that the Kibera A-GOAL League will help children in Kibera slum to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, both on and off the field.”The Kibera A-GOAL League has already received significant support from the local community, including football clubs that have worked with A-GOAL in the past. One such club, the winning team of the Kibera A-GOAL League trial held from October to December 2022, participated in the A-GOAL Sport Festival in 2023 and expressed their excitement for the upcoming league. Mr. Collins Wasonga, co-founder of AGAPE, shared, “The event was a huge success, and we are thrilled to see the enthusiasm from the children and their families. We believe that the Kibera A-GOAL League will have a positive impact on the community and help children to stay away from negative influences.”Overall, the Kibera A-GOAL League is an inspiring initiative that demonstrates the power of sports to promote positive change in communities. With ongoing fundraising efforts and the support of local partners, the league is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of children living in Kibera slum.
