Mwelekeo TV recently hosted a thoughtful conversation about the power of sports in shaping young lives.
In an interview with Fridah Mong’are, Mathew Malusi from the S.M Foundation shared his story and explained how sports can guide youth toward better choices and stronger values.
His reflections supported the idea that when young people are engaged in organized sports, they learn important lessons about teamwork, discipline, and leadership that help them both on and off the field.
Mathew talked about his own journey in sports, which began in high school where he played football, basketball, and volleyball.
Later, he joined clubs such as Castle Dads FC and Mahakama FC, which competes in the National Super League, and also spent time with Msa Mesa Youth.
Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his playing career earlier than expected. Back then, support for injured players was limited, especially at the grassroots level, leaving many to depend on family for recovery.
Over time, however, policies have improved under leaders who pushed for better structures, medical support, and formal team registration. Still, he believes that challenges remain at the community level where many talented young players face the same old struggles.
Now serving as the director of operations at the Simon Mbugua Foundation, Mathew is determined to use his experiences to help others.
The foundation focuses on supporting youth through sports, especially in Kamukunji and other parts of Nairobi. Using Simon Mbugua’s name, which is well respected in the community, they run programs that encourage young people to stay active and positive.
One major step was paying affiliation fees worth about 650,000 shillings for all Kamukunji football teams registered under the Football Kenya Federation leagues.
This financial support allows teams to play freely each weekend, giving young people something productive to do and keeping them away from negative influences like drugs or crime.
Mathew believes sports bring people together. Players, fans, and entire communities unite through games, building friendships and shared goals.
The foundation is also planning to extend its support to basketball teams in the area, encouraging more youth to join leagues and experience the same benefits. Research supports this approach, showing that sports build discipline and life skills while reducing risky behaviors among young people.
During the Mwelekeo TV discussion, Mathew explained that sports act as a unifying force across all backgrounds. He emphasized that when young people are active on the field, they stay focused and develop a sense of responsibility.
His story reflects how personal challenges can turn into motivation to help others. With the support of Mwelekeo Insights and other partners, the foundation’s work shows that sports can indeed be a classroom for life—teaching lessons that go far beyond the game.
In places like Kamukunji, where many young people face limited opportunities, these efforts create hope and direction. Through the Simon Mbugua Foundation’s programs, Mathew and his team are proving that giving youth something meaningful to do can build stronger communities and brighter futures across Nairobi.
