The Tujiamini Initiative by SportPesa has achieved a major milestone with the official groundbreaking of the Highrise Volleyball Court in Highrise Estate, Nairobi. The development is being driven by Emmanuel Kipkemoi Yegon, the Nairobi Gold Category winner, who received KES 1 million to build a safe, standard volleyball facility for young people in the community.
Emmanuel is the founder and chairman of the Highrise Kenya Volleyball Community, established in 2018 to give youth in underserved areas opportunities in sport, mentorship and positive social engagement. The community has grown into a movement with more than 300 active participants who train regularly, develop life skills and embrace a culture of support and resilience under the message #WeRiseTogether.
During the ceremony, Emmanuel reflected on the long journey leading to this moment.
“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,” he said.
The project will include resurfacing the existing court, installing proper posts and nets, introducing safety improvements and providing new training equipment to enhance the players’ experience and performance.
SportPesa’s Head of Partnerships and Sponsorships, Japheth Akhulia, praised the community’s commitment to empowering youth.
“We are happy to support Emmanuel and the Highrise Community through the Tujiamini Initiative by SportPesa. 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,” he said.
The Highrise Volleyball Court is expected to directly benefit more than 150 youth, while motivating many others in surrounding neighbourhoods to participate in sports and community development.
With the regional Tujiamini and Cheza Dimba Awards concluded, the spotlight now turns to the upcoming National Finals, where top teams from eight regions will compete for victory and national recognition. The finals are set to highlight the power of sport to uplift communities and shape future champions as the Tujiamini Initiative continues to invest in football excellence and youth empowerment across the country.
