Tackling Violent Extremism, Terrorism, and Gang Violence through Community Sports
In a step towards building a more secure world for and with children, the Center for Sustainable Conflict Resolution (CSCR), GNRC Kenya’s anchor organization, in partnership with Al Hikma CBO, hosted a vibrant football tournament for children under 13 in Majengo, Nairobi—an area once known as a hotspot for violent extremist recruitment.
The tournament was part of efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, terrorism, and gang violence and promote peace, interreligious coexistence, and social change. Twenty-three teams from Pumwani, Nairobi, and the surrounding areas gathered enthusiastically, with the support of more than 500 residents—including community leaders and religious scholars, who emphasized the importance of discipline, nurturing talent, and abstinence from drugs—to cheer on.
The event was more than just a game of football; it was a platform for mentorship, entertainment, and social dialogue. Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, Secretary General, CSCR, and Sheikh Ramadhan Aula encouraged children to stay in school, nurture their talents, care for their health, and make positive life choices. A curtain-raiser match between imams of Riyadha Mosque and former footballers added excitement to the day, reinforcing the unifying power of sports and its role in character development.
The champions of the tournament, Tiger Shaurimoyo, followed by Lucky Star Shaurimoyo, Young Elephant, and Tahfidh Mosque Kids, were awarded medals and trophies, and players from the top four teams received food hampers for their families.
The tournament demonstrated the power of structured sports activities in building a resilient, empowered generation dedicated to peace and community development.
The tournament aimed to provide young people with an avenue for positive engagement. It highlighted how sports can help steer young minds away from violence, foster interfaith coexistence, and build a generation committed to peace and development. Majengo is rewriting its narrative—one goal at a time.
