S4D FOUNDATION trading as Sports Legal

The world is currently facing various challenges of socio-economic inequalities and development obstacles, whose effect is adversely affecting the minority, marginalized and discriminated groups such women/girls, underprivileged youth and people living with disabilities.

COVID19 pandemic has since then amplified these challenges with drastic effects such as economic instability through lose of income, job insecurity, disruption of education, lack of digital platforms for all, and lack of funding in organizations to further assist and address such problems in the society.

Our organization has effectively identified these target groups as our primary focus in elevating and improving their livelihoods through access to sporting and physical activity platforms, education, food security, sexual reproductive health and rights, gender equality and advocacy in sustainable development for all.

As a start up organization, the funding from the Elevate Prize would assist in sustainable and progressive implementation of our project goals and objectives by ensuring sufficient resources and manpower for effective awareness and positive impact and solution based approaches.

We believe sports has the power to unify, advocate and create global awareness and solution to the socio-economic barriers and a tool for sustainable development and peace.

Sports is key reason why I was able to develop positive and resilient mindset, which is instrumental in overcoming various systemic obstacles I have faced as a youthful member and hence neglected member of society, as a Muslim woman from a marginalized tribe and a humble background.

I have always dreamt of merging my passion and career, chosen career in law and passion in sports. I hope to provide a transformative space and opportunities for those backgrounds similar to mine, and to the other groups facing societal barriers.

The current Kenyan governance, policy and legal framework in sports and development is moribund hence the establishment of Sports Legal, with the main agenda and focus to tackle these major issues in sports management, governance and policy. Developing awareness programs and initiatives in addressing the loopholes in and around sports, and the community at large, that needs to be addressed and given utmost attention in the betterment of the society.

This is majorly done through uplifting and representing women/girls, youth and people living with disabilities.

The scale of the problem we are facing and wish to address not only nationwide but worldwide.

Around the globe, millions of people are currently been affected by the impact of COVID 19 pandemic. Kenya being a developing country, it is one of the nations whose citizens face some if not most of the life changing obstacles.

Gender Inequality, Child Insecurity and Safety, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Access to and Quality Education, Food Insecurity, Economic Instability, Access and Equal opportunities to Resources, are problems and challenges that have been existing overtime with no priority given by our government in offering sustainable and permanent solutions.

As an organization, we are working with specifically identified groups such as children homes and orphanages, children and individuals (especially girls and women) from slum areas and people living with disabilities in providing capacity building, life skills, resources and platforms to the best of our abilities.

We have been active in organizing of food drives and donations, education platforms, sports, social events and tournaments, mental health workshops, pad drives, sack farming initiatives, sports equipment and mask donations and awareness building through strategic partnerships with local and international organizations.

Sports Legal is run by young, dynamic and diverse individuals in different professions with a common objective of using sport as a tool for sustainable development. 

1. Our organization uses sport, such as football at the grassroot level and physical activity and social interactions towards sustainable development and peace.

2. We are currently amongst the few privately run bodies that run such programs in a heavily publicly regulated space.

3. Football is our anchor sport. However, we also run programs including the protection against exploitation webinars, sports law clinics and workshops and grassroot coaches to mention but a few.

4. Use of the legal knowledge and legally acquired skill to represent the target groups in tackling issues such a discrimination, equality, inclusion and human rights.

5. Engaging the target groups directly and interacting with them in identifying the challenges and issues that affect them instead of implementing general solutions to unique problems and challenges.

Sports and Human Rights are two disciplines that have intertwined in their applicability. This has been strengthened by policies and international treaties such as the UNESCO International Charter for Physical Education and Sport, sports and physical education has become fundamental human rights.

Sports Legal seeks to address and protect the most fundamental rights and human freedoms through the use of sport. We seek to create awareness and advocate for the reflection of the minimum standards that all human life should be subjected to achieve equality and dignity.

Human rights are integral in the realization and promotion of peace, stability, security and economic prosperity and social inclusion, whereas sports has the power to unite and effect societal changes from grassroots to elite levels.

As an organization we strive to bring these two aspects together in the promotion of social justice, equality, equity and inclusion as they are inseparable and one cannot be achieved without the other.

For sports to become the catch-all approach towards development, we need uphold humanity and dignity in its application and implementation, and eventually, bringing about sustainability and development in our nation and world.