9,000 Girls Targeted in Football as MTG Kicks Off 2026 Grassroots League

By The COAST Team

The pitch at Petanguo League Field in Ganze, Kilifi County will come alive on Saturday, March 14, 2026 as Moving the Goalposts (MTG) officially launches the 2026 MTG Grassroots League a football initiative set to bring together thousands of girls and young women from across the Coast region.

The league marks the start of the grassroots football season and is expected to engage 9,000 girls across three age categories, using the beautiful game as a platform to promote gender equality, leadership, and safe participation in sport.

Kick-off day will feature an official launch ceremony followed by a series of exhibition matches across the age groups.

The opening fixtures will see Lion face Manchester in the Under-10 category, Arsenal take on Super Star in the Under-13 clash, and Arsenal battle Bright Stars in the Open Age match.

Beyond the action on the pitch, the event will also host peer education sessions for adolescents and the “Take Five” session, a key MTG program that provides young players with guidance on life skills, health awareness, and leadership development.

Environmental awareness will also take centre stage during the launch through a community tree-planting activity and a symbolic “Climate Kick-off”, highlighting the link between protecting the environment and creating safe play spaces for young athletes.

Founded in 2001, Moving the Goalposts has long used football as a powerful tool to empower girls and young women across Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, and Tana River counties.

The impact of the grassroots league continues to grow. In 2025, the competition recorded 1,596 matches played by 471 teams, reflecting strong community support and increasing participation.

For the 2026 season, organizers expect more than 480 teams to compete as the program expands its reach to 9,000 participants, up from 8,644 registered players last year.

Ganze Division has already emerged as a standout region in early team registrations and league organization, making Petanguo League Field the perfect venue to blow the whistle on the new season.

The MTG Grassroots League targets girls aged 7 to 25, offering safe spaces for football while tackling broader challenges affecting young women such as school dropout, early pregnancy, and gender-based violence.

Through sport, participants develop confidence, teamwork, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of community.

“This league is more than football it’s where girls take their first step into leadership. After 15 years at MTG, I’ve seen girls who once stood on the sidelines grow into confident young women who claim their space, report abuse, and create safety for each other.

Every season, the community grows because girls rise and then lift others with them,” said Dorcas Amakobe, the Executive Director.

The launch will also feature a display tent showcasing MTG’s key programs in education transition, climate action, mental health, and safeguarding, demonstrating how football can be used as a driver of social change.

Several key stakeholders are expected to attend the launch, including Kilifi County FKF Chairman Dickson Angore, local government representatives, community leaders, and partners supporting girls’ participation in sport.