Kenyan Premier League together with AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC supported a human interest initiative by Missing Child Kenya during the two clubs’ SPL 2018-19 Round 31 encounter on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
This support was shown through players of AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia players walking to the pitch while holding posters of missing children which had been verified by Missing Child Kenya. Images of the players carrying the posters were broadcast to a live audience which was following the match on the KPL Facebook Page and KTN News Channel.
This initiative was also a tribute to the worldwide practice of footballers being accompanied to the pitch by child mascots. By doing so the AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia players; raised awareness about the alarming trend of missing children and the efforts being made to find them and reunite them with their families, and sensitized the public about the need to protect children, and therefore, by extension, contribute to the preservation of the age-old tradition of child mascots accompanying footballers to the pitch.
KPL is delighted to learn that three children whose photographs had been carried by AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia players have since been found safe and reunited with their families. The three children who have been found and reunited with their families are Chantel Gift Osebe (13 years old), Evamariserah Murugi (16 years old), and Prudence Khavugwi (11 years old).
Sport holds great power to rally people to support causes like this which benefit the community and make the world a safe and better place for our children. According to statistics provided by Missing Child Kenya, 388 children have been reported missing this year.
We call on the public to support this initiative and share information about missing children with the relevant authorities and child protection organizations so that they can be found and reunited with their families.