MATHARE YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION

MYSA is run by young people, for young people. The average age of our staff, volunteer leaders, coaches and officials is between 15 and16 years old and most of them have been members of the organisation since they were children.

Our team are enthusiastic, dedicated and are passionately committed to offering young people the same help that they were offered when they joined MYSA.

Here is a map of our organisational structure.

David Thiru, Executive Director

“In many ways MYSA has become like a loving parent to these kids – offering support, education, a safe place to play, role models and encouragement to do the right thing. MYSA says to each and every one of its children – ‘yes, you can achieve your dreams and I will help you’.”

David was born in Nairobi and went to Mathare Primary School. He was with MYSA from its inception – he even won MYSA’s first Best Player and Sportsman Award in 1987. From early on David actively took part in the development of the organisation, from captaining the first MYSA All Star team to play in the Norway Cup in 1990, to his leadership role today.

Over the years, David has gained experience in a variety of roles within and external to MYSA. He worked in the private sector and gained a range of business qualifications including graduating in Business Administration from the United States International University-Africa. He was appointed MYSA’s Head of Finance in 1999, and became Director of Finance, HR and Administration in 2008. Today David is Director of the new MYSA Sports and Community Leadership Academy. David is currently working with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to produce MYSA’s first Sports and Community Leadership Curriculum. He is also studying for his MBA in Business Administration - project management at Kenyatta University.

Joseph Jagero, Manager, MYSA Sports and Community leadership Academy

“The ‘beautiful game’ has the ability to bring people together, creating strong bonds and enduring friendships. We hope we can empower our members to face the challenges that life throws at us all. MYSA has been, and continues to be, the source of hope to many, many young people. We are working to turn those hopes into reality.”

Joseph was born in Mathare number ten area and joined MYSA in 1988. He first joined as a player for Huruma Corner FC under-14 boys, but went on to be elected as the chairman for the MYSA Sports Council and then Vice Chairman to the MYSA Executive Council. Over the years Joseph has also coached a number of award-winning MYSA teams. One of the early projects Joseph worked on was transforming a rubbish dump into a football pitch, which is still used today. He says he still gets a rush of joy when he sees it hosting a match!

In 2001, Joseph travelled to Arusha and Zanzibar in Tanzania as a sports consultant to initiate projects that used the learning and strategies of MYSA. He registered over 150 teams in five different areas in Arusha and Zanzibar, and established sports leagues, slum environmental cleanups, and drama activities. In Tanzania, Joseph also organised the first National Sports Camp, involving 26 community based teams and over 1000 boys and girls.

As a Manager in the MYSA Sports and Community·Leadership Academy, Joseph is responsible for Community coaching and trainings. He works closely with schools, sports nd community-based projects. Joseph also holds the position of Chairman of the East Africa Regional Environment Network.

Henry Majale, Acting Executive Director, MYSA Sports and Leadership Training Academy

“MYSA is more than a model and a vision. MYSA works. We see everyday how empowered young people can change their lives for the better when given the tools and the belief.”

Henry was born and brought up in Nairobi, Kenya. He joined MYSA aged 16, playing for Dandora Zone and soon progressed to the position of zone Secretary and then zone Chairman. He later gained experience working as a Project Officer; served on the MYSA Sports Council and Executive Council respectively; and, since 2010, has held the position of Deputy Executive Director. He is part of the team that is developing the MYSA Curriculum for the Sports and Community Leadership Academy and is a member and Secretary of the MYSA Senior Management team.

Henry has gained experience outside MYSA, working on sport for development projects in Uganda, holding the position of National Sports Officer for CHRISC Uganda as part of the Norwegian Fredskorpset three-year exchange programme. During this time he also served as the Chairman of the East Africa Cup Organizing Committee Technical Department.

Henry is a former alternate Board member of the Streetfootballworld and has contributed to conferences including the third International Football Medicine Conference. He is a qualified Accountant by profession; he holds a Diploma in International Relations from Hald International School in Norway and is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Accounts .

Ismail Hussein – Deputy Executive Director and Director, Public Affairs and Communications

“Some people think that MYSA is all about sport – but those who live, work, play and experience MYSA know that it is also about culture, the environment, confidence building, music, the community, employment, theatre, leadership opportunities and so much more”

Ismail was born in Nairobi and joined MYSA as a volunteer in 1994, playing for various teams in the MYSA league. He went on to serve on both the Community Service Council and the Executive Council, and has been heavily involved in MYSA’s project for children with disabilities.

From 2004-2007, Ismail took part in the Fredskorpset South-South exchange programme to share skills and knowledge with the sport for development organisation, CHRISC, in northern Tanzania. During this three-year exchange, Ismail taught peers about sports training, project management, community mobilisation, health education, sustainable development and other strategies in place at MYSA. In exchange he developed gained valuable skills and insights from the CHRISC team which he has since applied to the MYSA programme.

Ismail is currently MYSA’s Director for Public Affairs and Communication, responsible  for all MYSA communication, Youth Exchange programmes, Database and visitors programmes. He holds a Diploma in International Relations from Hald International School in Norway and is currently enrolling for a Diploma on computer systems at the Institute of Advanced Technology.

George Kamau, Human Resources Manager

“MYSA is such an important organisation – it shows what can be achieved through the enormous power and inspiration of sport. I felt very proud to be able to take what I had learnt here and share it with other projects in East Africa!”

George was born and brought up in Nairobi, Kenya. He joined MYSA in 1990 as a volunteer and youth player, playing for “Black Santoes” in the MYSA league. By 1999, he was the Chairman of Eastleigh Zone, a member of the Sports Council, and Treasurer of the MYSA Executive Council.

He has a great deal of project management experience. He held the position of National Sports Officer for CHRISC, Uganda as part of the Norwegian Fredskorpset three-year exchange programme. George is also a Board member of the East Africa Cup and Coordinator of the East Africa Cup organizing committee. He is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Human Resources and has an ICDL 1 and 2 certification.

Today, George works as the Human Resource Manager of MYSA, a position he has held since January 2009 and he is also a member of the MYSA Senior Management Team. He is part of the team that is developing the MYSA Curriculum for the Sports and Community Leadership Academy.

Maqulate Onyango, Director, Sports and Training Department

“My joy was brought by the fact that am a woman and has managed to set up a department in another organization and above all motivated, mentored and acted as a role model to young women in Kampala and other Districts”

‘Maqulate joined M.Y.S.A at the age of 13 years in Mathare Zone. Due to the structures set by the organization, She was elected in the league committee as a secretary. Later on, she was trained as a peer counselor so that I can also train the young people and advocate for behavior change in my zone.
She progressed from the M.Y.S.A matches to the Kenya Associations matches where she was the first woman from M.Y.S.A to officiate Kenya Premier League. This was not only her achievement as a person but for M.Y.S.A girls too.

She is currently the Director for sports and Training department and pursuing a Diploma in project management at Kenya Institute of Management.