Players gathered close, listening to their coach

Institutional Oversight

Built on accountability. Guided by purpose.

Sporting Pearls is being built as an institution — with clear roles, responsible systems and oversight that puts young people first. This is the structure behind the academy.

Read the Chairman's Message Our Governance Structure

0Governance Roles

2026–31Policy Window

100yrInstitutional Horizon

Governance Systems that outlive individuals.

We are deliberately building systems that can survive beyond individual players, coaches and leaders — because we want Sporting Pearls to serve generations, not just one season.

Est.2020HomeMtwapa, Kilifi County

01 · Governance Structure

Clear roles. Real responsibility.

Safeguarding and institutional oversight are built into our structure. Every level of the academy carries defined responsibility — from the governing body to the players themselves.

Governing Body / Board

Provides oversight and ensures safeguarding is treated as an institutional priority.

Chairman / Executive Leadership

Ensures adequate organisational support and resources for safeguarding and institutional development.

Welfare & Safeguarding Lead

Acts as the designated focal point for safeguarding concerns and coordinates appropriate responses.

Coaches

Maintain safe environments, recognise concerns and report them through the established procedure.

Volunteers & Staff

Follow safeguarding policies and immediately raise concerns.

Parents / Guardians

Support the academy's safeguarding culture and raise concerns appropriately.

Players

Are encouraged to speak up and seek help when they feel unsafe or worried.

Read Our Safeguarding Commitment →

Tactics board showing roles and movements as clear arrows — STRUCTURERoles drawn as clearly as a formation — everyone knows the plan.

02 · Leadership & Executive Management

The people holding the line.

Sporting Pearls is guided by a leadership team committed to good governance, responsible stewardship, football development, safeguarding, education and long-term community impact — professional expertise, grassroots experience and a shared commitment to young people.

Dr. Stephen M. Abuor addressing the assembled academy at the training ground

Dr. Stephen M. Abuor Founder & President · Sporting Pearls SP Ltd

The Chairman & Founder

"We are not simply building another football team. We are building an institution that we hope can serve young people for generations."

Dr. Stephen Abuor established Sporting Pearls Football Academy in 2020 with a simple but powerful belief: every young person deserves an opportunity to discover their potential and build a better future. As Founder and President of Sporting Pearls SP Ltd and SP PEARLS Group, he provides the organisation with strategic leadership and long-term institutional direction.

He holds qualifications in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) and Data Analytics, and is a founding partner and owner of WESÇEROS INFRATECH LTD. His connection with football extends beyond administration — having played during his formative years, he has been involved in grassroots football development, player education, mentoring, coaching and training.

His leadership philosophy is centred on developing the whole person — not simply the player — building sporting ability alongside discipline, education, leadership, character and positive social values. His long-term vision is a sustainable institution that develops talent, builds character and creates pathways for sporting, educational and leadership opportunities.

Leadership Focus

Strategic Leadership
Institutional Development
Football Development
Education & Mentorship
Partnerships
Community Impact
Long-Term Sustainability

Dr. Stephen Abuor

Founder & President · Sporting Pearls SP Ltd & SP Pearls Group

Chairman's Message

Academy players in an education session supported by the academy's executive leadership

Mrs. Joyleen Mbwika Executive Director — Finance · Sporting Pearls Group

Executive Director

"Helping young people become better versions of themselves — through football, education, mentorship and positive values."

Mrs. Joyleen Mbwika provides executive and administrative leadership within Sporting Pearls, contributing professional expertise in finance, accounting, organisational management and institutional development.

She is a Finance and Accounting professional with more than 10 years of experience in financial management within the private sector. Her background brings financial discipline, organisational planning, resource management and long-term sustainability — strengthening the academy's institutional foundation and the systems that promote accountability and responsible growth.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, she has invested her time, knowledge and skills in the academy's vision — supporting practices that manage growth responsibly while keeping the community-centred purpose, and equipping young people with discipline, confidence, leadership skills and a sense of responsibility to their communities.

Executive Focus

Financial Management
Organisational Administration
Institutional Sustainability
Accountability
Strategic Planning
Youth Development
Operational Management

Joyleen Mbwika

Executive Director — Finance · Sporting Pearls Group

03 · Governance in Practice

Trust matters.

We want parents, partners and the community to know not only what we are building, but how responsibly we are building it.

As Sporting Pearls develops, we are committed to strengthening the systems below — because accountability isn't a section of a brochure. It's the system behind every decision, every report and every programme we deliver.

"We want people to be able to look at Sporting Pearls and say: we know what they are trying to achieve, we know where investment is going, and we can see the difference it is making."

Transparent financial management
Documented programmes and clear budgets
Monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting
Safeguarding and child-protection systems
Good governance and succession planning
Institutional records and documentation
Partner communication and reporting
Relationships based on shared value

Whistle, stopwatch and clipboard laid out on mown grass — OVERSIGHTStandards set, standards checked — week after week.

04 · Our Leadership Commitment

Stewardship and service.

At Sporting Pearls, leadership is understood as stewardship and service. Our leaders are responsible for building systems that can outlast individuals, protecting the welfare and dignity of young people, managing resources responsibly and ensuring that today's decisions contribute to the organisation's long-term institutional sustainability.

Integrity

We promote honesty, transparency and responsible decision-making.

Accountability

We recognise our responsibility to players, families, staff, partners, donors and the wider community.

Safeguarding

The safety, dignity and welfare of children and young people remain fundamental to our work.

Development

We invest in football, education, character, leadership and life skills.

Sustainability

We build structures, partnerships and systems designed to create lasting impact across generations.

Our Purpose Developing Talent. Building Character. Transforming Lives Through Football.

05 · Get Involved

Governance is how trust is built.

Whether you want to support the institution, learn about our safeguarding systems or speak with our leadership — start here.

Partner With Us → Chairman's Message Safeguarding Commitment