Building Champions
Beyond the Game.

The flagship youth football development programme of the Lerato Foundation. Transforming lives through professional training, education, and character development.

Where Champions Are Made

Darajani Sports Academy (DSA) is an elite youth development institution committed to the holistic growth of the modern African athlete. Established as the sporting arm of the Lerato Foundation, we believe the football pitch is the most effective classroom for teaching resilience, discipline, and leadership.

We do not just develop footballers; we nurture the leaders of tomorrow. By merging high-performance athletic coaching with mandatory academic support, mentorship, and safeguarding, we provide a pathway to success that is sustainable and life-changing.

As a flagship programme of the Lerato Foundation, we operate under a rigorous governance framework built on transparency, safety, and long-term impact. The Foundation provides the strategic oversight, administrative infrastructure, and community support networks that allow our players to focus on what matters most: their growth.

Darajani Sports Academy players in action

Our Vision & Mission

Guiding our work and shaping the future of African football.

Our Vision

To be Africa's premier youth football development institution, recognized for producing elite athletes, disciplined scholars, and influential community changemakers.

Our Mission

To identify, nurture, and empower young football talent through professional coaching, mentorship, and education, creating a clear pathway for sporting and personal success.

The Development Journey

A structured, long-term commitment to every player. We view development as a marathon, not a sprint.

Stage 1

Grassroots Identification

Community Scouting

Discovery of raw talent and foundational interest through community engagement and local scouting networks.

Stage 2

Regional Academy

Skill Acquisition

Mastery of technical basics and tactical understanding through structured regional training programmes.

Stage 3

Darajani Elite Academy

High-Performance

Intensive training, advanced tactics, and national exposure for elite players ready to compete at the highest level.

Stage 4

National Competitions

Competitive Readiness

Testing limits against top-tier youth opposition through regular national and regional competitions.

Stage 5

Headquarters Oversight

Systems Management

Administrative guidance, welfare, and pathway placement through centralized governance and support systems.

Stage 6

Professional Pathways

Real-World Success

Facilitating professional contracts and global opportunities for players ready to transition to the next level.

The Holistic Athlete

Talent alone is not enough. Our curriculum is built on five core pillars.

Elite Football Development

Science-based coaching focused on technical mastery, tactical intelligence, and physical conditioning.

Education Support

Strict "Education First" policy. We monitor academic progress to ensure players are prepared for life after football.

Mentorship & Life Skills

Every player is paired with a mentor. We teach goal setting, communication, and decision-making.

Player Welfare

International-standard safeguarding protocols. Nutrition, mental wellness support, and a safe, inclusive environment.

Leadership Development

Creating "Servant Leaders." Our players are taught to serve their communities and lead by example.

Administrative Headquarters

The central nervous system of Darajani Sports Academy – where strategy, governance, and elite training converge.

Darajani Main Headquarters Kiserian
Main Headquarters

Darajani Sports Academy

Kiserian, Kajiado County

The supreme administrative and training hub of Darajani Sports Academy. This is the flagship centre where our elite senior players (ages 17–22) undergo professional-level training, tactical development, and career pathway planning. The Main Headquarters oversees all regional branches, sets the technical curriculum, and ensures governance, compliance, and institutional standards across the entire network.

Ages 17 – 22
Darajani Elite Academy Mwiki
Elite Sub-Headquarters

Darajani Elite Academy

Mwiki, Kasarani, Nairobi

The premium sub-headquarter of Darajani Sports Academy, designed as a high-performance centre for developing young talent aged 8–19. This academy serves as the primary feeder system for the Main Headquarters, offering world-class coaching, advanced facilities, and a structured pathway to professional football. Players here are groomed with the same philosophy and standards as the senior academy, ensuring a seamless transition to the elite level.

Ages 8 – 19

Regional Development Branches

A decentralized institution ensuring we find and develop talent where it thrives. One philosophy, delivered across multiple regions.

Western Hub

Tuzidi Darajani Academy

Busia
Ages 8 – 16
North Rift

Darajani Mafia Academy

Kitale
Ages 8 – 16
Central Valley

Darajani United Sports Academy

Nakuru
Ages 8 – 16
Outreach Centre

Darajani Best Academy

Weiwei
Ages 8 – 16
Coastal Region

Darajani Amani Academy

Likoni
Ages 8 – 16
Founding Roots

Darajani Football Academy

Emali
Ages 8 – 16
All regional branches serve as the first step in the Darajani pathway, nurturing talent from ages 8–16 before transitioning to the Elite Academy or Main Headquarters.

Our Milestones

A journey of growth, expansion, and impact.

2020

Foundation

Established in Makindu with a vision to formalize youth football and create structured development pathways.

2022

Growth

Relocation to Nairobi, allowing for wider reach, better competitive facilities, and increased visibility.

2023

Expansion

Scaling our scouting network to five regions and launching our scholarship pathways for talented players.

2024

Standardization

Strengthening partnerships and moving toward FIFA/FKF compliance with professional governance structures.

2025–26

National Scale

Launching the Darajani Elite Academy and formalizing our national branch network across Kenya.

Our Impact

Real numbers, real lives transformed across Kenya.

867
Active Players
Registered across all branches nationwide
7+
Branches
Regional academies across Kenya
94%
Player Retention
Committed to long-term development
43+
Communities
Reached through football and mentorship

Our Impact

Darajani Sports Academy is more than a football club. It is a movement. We are building a generation of athletes who are as prepared to lead in the boardroom as they are to score on the pitch. With 867 active players registered across our national branches, we are creating opportunities that change lives.

⚡ One Academy. Multiple Regions. One Vision.

Join the Movement

Are you a scout, a prospective partner, a parent, or an aspiring player? Reach out to our administrative team to learn more about our programmes.