Sport can create opportunity, confidence and community for young people. But if we are serious about changing lives through sport, the systems surrounding young athletes must protect their wellbeing as well as develop their performance.

On 16 September 2026, DBA Africa joined stakeholders from sport, mental health, healthcare, education, government and the development sector at the National Pre-Summit Breakfast Engagement in Nairobi. The event explored how Kenya can build stronger systems of support around athletes, particularly in relation to mental health, substance use and safeguarding.

Convened by the Youth Initiative Development Programme (YIDP), the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) and ISSUP Kenya Chapter, the event was held under the theme Play Strong, Live Long: Tackling Alcohol Use, Substance Use and Mental Health in the Sports Community. 

DBA Africa was represented on the panel by Pius Shiundu, Head of Fundraising and Inclusion, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Health, ISSUP Global, KNATCOM, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the Counselling Directorate.

From Recognition to Support

One of the most important questions raised was simple: what happens after a coach recognises that a young athlete is struggling?

Evidence presented by YIDP showed that 91.3% of surveyed sport-sector stakeholders reported limited or only partial mental health capacity among coaches and mentors, while 94.1% lacked a coordinated multidisciplinary referral pathway.

This highlights an important challenge for athlete mental health and wellbeing in Kenya. Coaches can be equipped to recognise concerns and respond appropriately, but they also need clear pathways to qualified professional support.

For DBA Africa, this closely reflects the approach behind Tackle It, our school-based rugby and life skills programme. Coaches receive safeguarding and Psychological First Aid training, while our partnership with One2One Kenya under LVCT Health provides psychosocial and referral support when required.

This combination of awareness, early response and referral is critical to strengthening mental health support through grassroots sport.

Building the System Together

The breakfast also reinforced something fundamental to DBA Africa's work: safe sport and youth wellbeing cannot be delivered by one organisation alone.

Sports organisations, schools, healthcare professionals, government, communities and development partners each bring different expertise. Effective systems emerge when those strengths are connected.

The discussions will continue at the Sports Wellness Summit 2026 in Nairobi on 19–20 November.

For DBA Africa, the priority is clear. Young people deserve coaches who understand their responsibilities, organisations with strong safeguarding systems and clear pathways to appropriate support.

Building safer sporting environments for young people means moving beyond awareness towards practical systems that work. That requires collaboration, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to putting young people's wellbeing at the centre of sport.