My football journey started in different spaces from playing in the corridor, staircases, in school and many other open spaces with my peers and we used whatever we could call a football that we made from waste materials.
Even though time has passed some elements of how we used to do things are still alive within the activities of the current generation.
I remembered vividly the time I got the chance to play a more organized football match was through Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) community league whereby I was attached to Mathare North Zone.
I remembered most of us played barefoot with a MYSA branded vests which were shared amongst all the participating teams in the community league.
I played barefoot until around 14 years when the transition happened after receiving a pair of donated football shoes from the late Helge from Norway after scoring the only goal against a more talented side, the Mathare United Youth team in a tournament that was organized in his honor known as the Helge's cup played in 1996 at St. Benedict parish grounds along Thika road.
The Football Shoes Campaign
I started the football shoes and resources mobilization campaign for teams in Mathare North especially for the age U10 - U15 to help them play in a more dignified way and in a safe environment. My goal is to also restore the children's and youth hope of becoming the next stars in future by going through an experience that will encourage them to Do More, Be More and Be different.
I also strive to train them on values that would help them aspire to become role models and change makers in our society.
Read More >>
- https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2022/09/golden-goal-for-golden-boots.html?m=1
- https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2020/10/soccer-balls-and-shoes-boots-campaign.html?m=1
Sport is a great vehicle that can help instill life transforming values outside the confines of a classroom. When I see the kids play, I see more in them that needs to be nurtured and supported further. So, aside from my vision of seeing every child in my community, play in a safe environment and dignified ways I want to invest time training them in values and soft skill that would enable them to adapt in different life transitions.These values are for example; improved self esteem, fair play, teamwork, leadership, role modelling, responsibility, self confidence, respect, discipline, professionalism, compassion and many more.
Highlights of my achievements playing football.
- Founded the Mathare North Festive Season Football Tournament (MNFSFT) for the senior teams and junior teams (U10 - U15).
- Organized and coordinated a peace tournament in Mathare North that featured twelve teams during the December holiday the year 2013.
- Participated in the Diversity Cup in Hamburg Germany with other 14 fellows from other countries as part of the Dekeyser fellowship now known as the Do School http://thedoschool.org/
- Played the Norway cup with Mathare United U16’s in the year 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively. In the year 1998 assistant team captain and 1999 I was the overall team captain.
- Team manager of Otto-Benecker football girl’s team. www.otto-beneckerfc.blogspot.com.
- Founder and head coach of Metro Sports FC which is youth lead initiative through sports in the slum.
- Played for Mathare United under 17 team, winning the Coca-Cola youth tournament in 1999 in Nairobi.
- Captain of Don Bosco secondary school football team 1999, Nairobi-Kenya.
- 1999 Winner of MYSA (Mathare Youth Sports Association) Best Player and Fair Play awards.
- 2010 founded Mathare North Rangers F.C under Wilsen initiative (Wi).
- Played for De La Rue and Pumwani Sportive in the Kenya Football Federation league (FKF).
- Played for Otto-bene
- Mobilized and connected football resources to more than 20+ teams and 500+ players . And many more...
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