Sports Development

Power to Transform
lives

At the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF), we recognize the transformative power of sports in strengthening communities, fostering social cohesion, and creating opportunities for youth development. By engaging vulnerable populations in structured sports programs, we help shift their status from “exploitable” to “champions for change.” This approach directly supports our overarching mission of economic empowerment—as sports serve as a powerful entry point to mobilize communities and scale up sustainable livelihood initiatives through our Jenga Bizna Mtaani pillar.

Our Vision is to build
25 basketball courts

Street Basketball "Bakee Mtaani"

Bakee Mtaani is a flagship basketball initiative designed to offer safe public spaces for young people and community members in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Through these courts, we aim to enhance psychosocial well-being, promote teamwork, and nurture life skills such as discipline and self-confidence.

  • Collaboration and Partnerships
     We work closely with the Kenyan Ministry of Sports and Culture, the Nairobi Basketball Association, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) Global to ensure alignment with national sports policies, optimize resources, and deliver impactful programs.
  • Infrastructure Development
     As of January 2025, JJF has constructed four full-size basketball courts in community or publicly owned spaces at:
    1. Gatina Primary School
    2. Holy Ghost Mission (HGM) Primary School in Riruta
    3. BP Stadium in Riruta
    4. Humama Grounds in Kayole (in partnership with KFC “Kuku Foods”)

Our vision is to build up to 25 basketball courts (both half- and full-size) in diverse communities across Nairobi’s informal settlements, providing safe and inclusive venues where youth and families can come together, stay active, and benefit from sports-based social support.

Future Outlook
 The Nairobi County Government has invited JJF to join its broader mission of delivering sports facilities and infrastructure to underserved neighborhoods, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing community well-being and nurturing the next generation of sports talent.

“Through sports, we create champions of change.

Nairobi City Stars Football Club

Founded in 2003 as World Hope Football Club, Nairobi City Stars (NCS) holds deep roots in Kawangware, representing an enduring sense of pride and unity for young men from marginalized backgrounds. JJF acquired the club in April 2019 at a critical juncture—when it was facing relegation to the third tier of Kenyan football.

  • Resurgence Under New Leadership
     Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Jonathan Jackson and Club CEO Patrick Korir, Nairobi City Stars rapidly regained promotion to the Kenya Premier League, where it continues to compete. Despite undergoing a coaching transition, NCS remains poised to reclaim its top standing, showcasing the positive impact of sustained mentorship, capacity-building, and strategic management.

     

  • Driving Community Impact
     NCS is more than a football team; it is a vehicle for community engagement and social transformation. Through football clinics, youth outreach, and career development programs, the club illustrates JJF’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable youth, offering them structured pathways to leadership, self-reliance, and economic inclusion.

Supporting Our Main Mandate: Building Businesses in Communities

While sports development is a key pillar of JJF’s work, it is ultimately a catalyst for economic empowerment in informal settlements. By bringing community members together around a shared passion for sports, we can better identify needs, foster trust, and introduce life-changing entrepreneurship initiatives under our Jenga Bizna Mtaani program. This integrated model ensures that as we nurture athletic talent and provide safe recreational spaces, we also pave the way for sustainable small businesses, job creation, and long-term socioeconomic progress.

“Through sports, we create champions of change. Through entrepreneurship, we empower communities to transform their futures.”

Together, these dual pillars—Sports Development and Economic Empowerment – underline JJF’s holistic vision of uplifting marginalized populations by equipping them with the tools, skills, and environment necessary for enduring transformation.