From (R) Japheth Akhulia, Head of Partnerships at SportPesa, (L) Emmanuel Kipkemoi Yegon, the Nairobi Gold Category winner
The Tujiamini Initiative by SportPesa has marked a major milestone with the groundbreaking of a new volleyball court in Highrise Estate Nairobi, an ambitious community project led by Nairobi Gold Category winner Emmanuel Kipkemoi Yegon.
Emmanuel, who received KES 1 million under the Tujiamini Awards, is the chairman and founder of the Highrise Kenya Volleyball Community.
Since 2018, he has led the movement to provide youth in underserved areas access to sports, mentorship, and positive engagement. The community now supports more than 300 young people who train, acquire life skills, and uphold a culture of #WeRiseTogether.
During the ceremony, Emmanuel reflected on the community’s journey:
“Highrise has always been a story of determination. We started with makeshift courts and borrowed equipment, but our dream never changed. This court will give our youth a safe place to train, grow, and believe in themselves. We are honoured that the Tujiamini Initiative by SportPesa believes in and supports this journey.”
The new court development will include resurfacing the existing ground, installing standard nets and posts, enhancing safety features, and providing new training gear to boost performance and participation.
SportPesa’s Head of Partnerships and Sponsorships, Japheth Akhulia, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing community talent.
“We are happy to support Emmanuel and the Highrise Community through the Tujiamini Initiative. We have moved around eight regions across the country and witnessed how Tujiamini is transforming lives.
This is a culmination of that work. We are committed to positive change that champions young talent and builds stronger communities through the Tujiamini Awards.”
The Highrise Volleyball Court project is expected to directly empower more than 150 youth, with ripple benefits anticipated across neighbouring communities as more young people gain access to structured sporting programs.
With regional Tujiamini and Cheza Dimba Awards now complete, focus now turns to the national finals, where top teams from all eight regions will compete for top honours. The finals will celebrate sporting talent from across the country and reinforce SportPesa’s mission to uplift and inspire youth through sports-driven community development.
The Highrise groundbreaking stands as a testament to the transformative power of belief, opportunity, and community leadership—values that continue to propel the Tujiamini Initiative forward.