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Emulate Munro's legacy

What you need to know:

  • Munro, who died at the age of 82, set the standards for local football stakeholders.
  • Munro effectively established a template for modern football club management in Kenya.

Football administrator, club owner and philanthropist, Bob Munro, who died on Sunday evening, leaves behind a shining legacy worthy of emulation by local football stakeholders.

Munro, who died at the age of 82, set the standards for local football stakeholders with regard to professional management of clubs, and talent development.

Other than founding Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) in 1987 and Mathare Football Club in 1994, Munro transformed the lives of many youth from unstable backgrounds, giving them a chance to nurture their talent in football before handing them their first professional contracts, enabling them to earn a living through football.

Munro effectively established a template for modern football club management in Kenya that benefited local players, most of whom turned out to be future coaches and football administrators.

Munro died on Sunday, just over a month since President William Ruto had bestowed on him the Order of Elder of the Burning Spear in recognition for his contribution to sports development, and environmental conservation efforts on Jamhuri Day.

Transformed the lives of many youth

MYSA, a community development organisation that Munro founded, uses sports as a vehicle for socio-economic development. MYSA gave rise to Mathare United Football Club in 1994.

Instructively, Mathare United helped transform the lives of many youth from the prowling Mathare slums, many of whom ended up playing for the national football team, Harambee Stars.

These are youth who could have easily fallen into crime. Mathare United won the 2008 Kenyan Premier League title and represented Kenya at the CAF Champions League. Mathare also won the Football Kenya Federation Cup (formerly Moi Golden Cup) in 2000.

Notable players to have come out of MYSA include Mulama brothers Simeon and Titus, Austin Makacha, Anthony "Modo" Kimani, Patrick Mutheu, and Francis Kimanzi, who is current coach of Harambee Stars.

MYSA’s robust activities have earned international recognition, and the organisation has been nominated twice for a Nobel Peace Prize.

It behooves local football coaches, players and administrators to emulate Munro’s legacy. Local football stakeholders should emulate his selflessness, honesty and transformative life that endeared him to many worldwide.