Financially struggling young people who, after completing high school, fail to continue higher education due to financial challenges are now finding renewed hope through sports scholarship programmes that allow talented youth to pursue university studies while developing their sporting skills and building friendships across East African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and others.
The sports scholarship programme run by Zetech University is helping young men and women excel in football, rugby, basketball, and other sports while giving them opportunities to grow personally and pursue courses of their choice.
Speaking at the Zetech grounds at Mang’u Campus in Juja during regional friendly matches organized to promote peace and unity across East Africa, John Mwai, Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing at Zetech University, said that as a way of giving back to society, the university spends approximately Sh10 million every year to support talented and underprivileged youth, helping them continue their studies while developing their sporting abilities.
“This initiative is helping save many young people from antisocial behaviors, such as theft, alcohol and drug abuse, unplanned pregnancies, and exploitation by politicians,” he said.
Mwai noted that the initiative has helped save many young people who might otherwise drift into antisocial behaviors or fall into the wrong hands of politicians who use youth to cause chaos and pursue selfish agendas.
He added that the programme will continue and urged all young people across Kenya and the wider East African region to take advantage of such opportunities, noting that along with education, their talents are important and can provide sustainable livelihoods nationally and globally.
Student and footballer Monalisa Anyango revealed that were it not for her talent and the sponsorship, her life could have been ruined, but she is happy that her future is shining brighter than ever.
“I am so grateful to Zetech University. If it were not for this scholarship, I might have ended up on the streets, and my life could have been very bad,” she said.
She lamented that many young women are drawn into alcohol abuse and fake relationships for financial gain, exposing them to life-threatening risks and unplanned pregnancies, and urged them to focus on their skills and be financially independent.
“My fellow girls, stop relying on men’s money for survival or to show off. Find something positive you can do and succeed on your own,” she urged.
While thanking the institution for offering her the scholarship and supporting her sporting career, Anyango said football has transformed her life, allowing her to live independently and comfortably pay her bills from the income she earns.
The scholarship programme continues to inspire youth across East Africa to pursue education and sports talents, proving that with support, they can overcome financial challenges and achieve sustainable livelihoods both nationally and globally.
