Kenya Feature Package Slum Soccer

epa02180435 Erick Kipkurui ( C ) , aged 11 , his sister Geogina Chepkurui ( R ) , aged 13 , take notes as they sit in a classroom during their science class at Silverbridge School in Mathare slum , in Nairobi , Kenya , 21 May 2010 .  In 1987 , Mathare Youth Sports Association ( MYSA ) , a local non-government organization ( NGO ) , was initiated in the aim of educating struggling youth of Mathare slumpromoting environmental improvement , HIV/AIDS prevention awareness , leadership trainingcommunity development through athletic activities , most popularly soccer . Today more than 20 , 000 youth are involved in MYSA activities , with some 5 , 000 boysgirls composing 350 soccer teams from 50 slum villages participating in the athletic programs . The teams are awarded 3 points in the league standings for every match they win , 6 points for participatingcompleting the community cleanup project to qualify for the league ' s playoffs . The other prizes include uniforms , medalscertificates . Volunteer coachesreferees can also earnaccumulate points in reward for their contributions to the community to qualify for scholarships in order to pursue other professional courses . MYSA ' s youth programs have produced many Kenyan top soccer players , most notably Dennis Oliech , who played for MYSA ' s adult team Mathare United until 2003currently plays for French football club AJ Auxerre . MYSA is designated by FIFA as one of Africa ' s five Football for Hope Centres to form part of the official 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign ' 20 Centres for 2010 ' launched in 2007 .  EPA/DAI KUROKAWA