Founder’s Story
My name is Samuel Kibi, Founder of Game Connect Africa (GCA). My journey began not in a boardroom or an office, but on the village dusty playing fields of my childhood, where I discovered that sport was much more than a game it was a source of hope, belonging, discipline, and opportunity to sport others.
Growing up, I witnessed many children and young people facing poverty, limited educational opportunities, violence, neglect, and unemployment. Many of my peers had incredible talents but lacked the guidance, mentorship, and opportunities to reach their full potential. Just like many children in my village, I also experienced challenges that could easily have defined my future. However, sport became a safe space where I learned teamwork, resilience, leadership, respect, and confidence.
As I grew older, I realized that the lessons I learned through sport had shaped the person I was becoming. Sport had given me more than physical strength and built character, nurtured hope, and taught me that every young person deserves the opportunity to dream beyond their circumstances.
This personal experience ignited a passion that would eventually become my life’s calling. I envisioned an organization that would intentionally use sport as a platform to educate, protect, and empower children and young people, especially those living in vulnerable and underserved communities.
That vision gave birth to Game Connect Africa (GCA) in 2020
Game Connect Africa was founded on the belief that sport is a powerful tool for development. While many see sport simply as recreation or competition, Samuel see it as an entry point for changing lives. Every football match, netball game, athletics event, or community tournament creates an opportunity to teach life skills, promote education, protect children, improve health, advocate for gender equality, foster peace, and create pathways to economic empowerment.
From humble beginnings, GCA started by organizing community sports activities that brought children together regardless of their backgrounds. As trust grew within communities, so did our impact. We expanded our work to include child protection, education support, leadership development, girls’ empowerment, health awareness, livelihood initiatives, peacebuilding, and community engagement, all anchored in the transformative power of sport.
Today, Game Connect Africa works alongside schools, families, local leaders, government institutions, faith-based organizations, development partners, and volunteers to create safer environments where children and young people can thrive. Our programmes are designed not only to nurture athletic talent but also to build confident leaders, responsible citizens, and resilient communities.
For Samuel Game Connect Africa is more than an organization but a fulfilment of my childhood dream and a lifelong commitment to transforming lives through sport. Every child we reach reminds me why this journey began. Every smile, every life changed, and every community transformed reinforces my belief that when sport is intentionally used for development, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting social change.
As we continue this journey, we invite partners, supporters, volunteers, and communities to join us in building a future where no child is left behind, and where the power of sport unlocks hope, dignity, opportunity, and lasting transformation across Africa.