Every year the Laureus World Sports Academy recognises the spirit of sport through the Laureus Sport for Good Award. This award is given to an individual or organisation that's made an outstanding contribution to society.
This year after long deliberation, the Laureus World Sports Academy concluded that as in sport we sometimes have two winners.
The Mathare Youth Sport Association was Laureus' first supported project. Its work is so unique and awe inspiring that it merited a nomination for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
In Kenya the Mathare area contains one of the largest and poorest slums in Africa with hundreds of thousands of inhabitants. In 1987 MYSA, the Mathare Youth Sports Association was established to help combat the widespread disease and drug abuse in this community.
Bringing with it the idea to use sport as a tool for improvement.
Right from the start it was obvious that football had a positive effect and that MYSA's reward scheme motivated youth to get involved in various activities. Without participating in these projects, they can't play football. And this motivation not only makes them improve their environment, but also their own personal lifestyles.
Although Mathare youth teams have won many Kenyan and international trophies, MYSA's most important achievement is the sense of hope it produces off the field that will help build a new Kenya. The power of sport has helped improve the lives of tens of thousands of people here in Kenya. And MYSA has proved itself a perfect example of the true meaning behind 'Sport for Good'.
In recognition of their great work, we are proud to present the first of this year's Sport for Good Awards, to Bob Munro and Peter Serry of the Mathare Youth Sports Association.
"This is a surprising and a very great honour for the youth of Mathare slums. I would to thank you, Ed and the other members of the Academy, and the Laureus Sport For Good foundation. And finally thanks to the, the youth of Mathare and to the people of Kenya. Thank you."
SPORT FOR GOOD
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