Kilifis Moving the Goalposts celebrates Laureus award

Kilifi-based Moving the Goalposts Non-Governmental Organisation is still basking in the glow of being awarded the prestigious Laureus Sport for Good Award.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity and all I can say is for all the academy members and the rest of Laureus is what you are doing is helping so many people; so keep on doing it thank you so much,” Executive Director Rachel Muthoga said after receiving the award.

Olympics champion and world record holder in 800m, David Rudisha called out Moving the Goal posts as the winners during the Monday gala in Berlin before they were presented with the award by retired Portuguese football legend and ambassador, Luis Figo.

Moving the Goalposts has played a big role in uplifting the football standards in coast region with Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida, who helped them qualify for the Women AFCON after drawing with Algeria 1-1 passing through the project.

“I’m happy for being a part of the moving goal post project and us being an apple of the eye in football world, this year looks fruitful and promising for us girls.

“I would love to encourage and urge girls not to shy off from their talent you never know what opportunities it could open up for you,” Akida, a fourth-year student in Business Administration said.

Lydia Kasiwa the Reproductive Health and Rights project co-coordinator could also not hide her joy when she received the news and hoped that many other girls will benefit from the project.

“Akida came in as a young girls and her football talent helped her in being scouted by KEMU FC, now she also a dependable midfielder in the National Team. We also have several girls who are on scholarship in local colleges and play for the local clubs,”she added.

The Kilifi NGO became the second Kenyan sporting institution after Mathare Youth Sports Association won it in 2004.

“We received this message well noting that our good work is being recognized by other institutions,” Alice Kariuki another project leader affirmed.

The project run by girls for girls and has over 3,000 participants where football acts as the mobilising force is celebrating its 14th anniversary.

It provides opportunities for the girls, aged 10 to 25 to learn skills through playing and organising football tournaments where they are encouraged to take on leadership roles as coaches, referees and committee members.

The girls are also offered reproductive health advice, HIV/AIDS information and social support from peer educators and professionally trained counsellors.

Kilifi Plantation gave the NGO leave to use their land for football activity.

By Ernest Mkalla and Charity Wanja