At the start of 2026, a staggering 800,000 children across Kenya were at risk of missing their secondary school placements. While the headlines often focus on tuition, the reality on the ground is more complex. For a young athlete, a "full scholarship" that only covers tuition is often an incomplete bridge.

At DBA Africa, we believe that a young person’s potential shouldn't be sidelined by the price of a pair of school shoes or the cost of a bus fare to school.

Understanding the "Hidden Costs"

Even when tuition is settled, the financial barriers to staying in school are immense. We call these the "Hidden Costs", the essential items that determine whether a student-athlete can actually show up and succeed. These include:

• Academic Essentials: Exams, books, stationery, and school transport.
• Basic Welfare: School shopping (from soap to shoe polish) and pocket money.
• The Athlete’s Tools: Sports kits, mouthguards, and proper footwear.

Two Lifelines: Our New Structured Approach

We are proud to announce a more structured, holistic approach to our Sports Scholarship Fund. We aren't just finding the schools to partner to provide the scholarships, we are providing the additional financial barrier. We recognise that an athlete’s "shelf life" can be unpredictable due to injury or illness. By ensuring our scholars excel in both sport and education, we guarantee they have a powerful future in their "back pocket," no matter what happens on the pitch.

The Impact in Numbers

Through our Rugby Academies and DBA competitions, we have now facilitated over 140 scholarships across East Africa.

This journey has supported 92 male and 51 female rugby players in Kenya and Uganda, creating a diverse and inclusive talent pathway.

A Message to Our Partners: The Triple Return

To our individual donors and corporate partners: supporting the DBA Sports Scholarship Fund is more than a donation, it’s a high-impact investment.

Supporting one scholar often costs less than a single marketing campaign, yet it delivers years of brand goodwill and aligns with 11 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities. When you invest here, you see a triple return:

1. Lives Changed: Breaking the cycle of poverty.
2. Talent Developed: Feeding the professional sports pipeline.
3. Brands Strengthened: Real-world ESG and CSR impact.

Our Commitment to Transparency

We know that trust is earned. Our fund operates with stringent governance:

• Funds are paid directly to educational institutions and vetted suppliers.
• Donors receive regular impact reports and personal stories from the scholars.
• We maintain a rigorous tracking database to monitor our athletes' progress both on and off the field.

One investment. Lifelong impact.