A top sports company has today announced their concern over the rate of youth radicalization into extreme criminal activities.
This comes after the riverside attack and the revelation that terrorists behind the attack are linked to the Kenyan roots.
Speaking during a press conference, Hussein Mohammed CEO of extreme sports company, issued a statement addressing the matter and shared their intention to create awareness and mitigiate radicalization of youth and recruitment into violent extremism.
“Naturally, whenever such a tragedy occurs, debate rages on why, who and what caused it. The reaction understandably so is usually highly emotive. An emerging consideration in this debate is the vulnerability of young people being recruited to join extremist groups.” reads their statement in part.
Extreme sports also highlighted that lack of opportunities and constructive engagement of youth has been cited as a significant catalyst in their radicalisation and recruitment into violent extremism.
The also mentioned that they want to play a role in curbing radicalization and also called upon individual and NGO’s with the similar vision to chip in and take part in the campaign.
“If we are able to save only one individual from being radicalised or joining an extremist group, we shall have achieved a significant milestone.” reads in statement
On their end, extreme sports shared their commitment toward incorporating a capacity building initiative aimed at sensitizing all our participating clubs on the dangers of radicalisation and how to ultimately protect our communities from violent extremism.
In a program set to be rolled out next month, Extreme sport made it clear that their affiliate partner, Excellence Integrity and Growth Consultants (EIG), together with relevant stakeholders, shall facilitate the workshops.
Their target in the initial phase is to disseminate critical information to at least 2,500 of their players within Nairobi County.
They also noted that they will be working towards ensuring that young people are economically stable thus making them less susceptible to criminal activities.
“Together with our financial literacy empowerment partners, we shall develop viable business models that can generate revenues for these vulnerable groups at the grassroots. I wish to confirm that we are at an advanced stage of negotiations on how we can further empower our clubs through match ticketing and merchandising.” reads part of statement
This initiative is to fully utilize their platform for the greater good and reduce the cases of radicalization.
We have made a commitment to #StopRadicalization through a defined action plan. Doors are open for willing partners. pic.twitter.com/cY9gfsPwU3
— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) January 23, 2019