Nairobi City Stars owner Jonathan Jackson has offered to guide all the club’s players and members of the technical bench into business to shape them for life after football.
Jonathan believes the time to think of business is now and he has committed to supporting those with businesses, or those who intend to start any, with direct support.
The support will include issuing guarantees for those who wish to seek loans from financial institutions.
Through the office of Business Development Officer at the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JFF) Randy Ochieng, all those within the Nairobi City Stars setup have been asked to present their business proposals, either current or startup ideas for evaluation and forward planning.
“It makes me happy that you are currently doing well in the league. But while I am happy now, I am concerned about what your lives will be like after football because there is just a short time between when you are at the top of your game and when you are not,” said Jonathan
The real estate mogul spoke during a luncheon at one of his business premises in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
He added: “I want all of you to build your future, to plant a seed now by actively starting a business that can help you make money to give you a standing in the society. You’ve all made me happy in the recent past and it is now my turn to make you happy by giving you support to do business.”
“Through the Foundation, we want to show you how to start a business, how to run it and for those with a business, we want to help you grow it,” added Jonathan, who has been in the construction business for close to 40 years.
Whilst talking of the future, Jonathan asked players to adopt a saving culture as this was the first step towards planning for a financial future.
“It is important to plan your future now, not tomorrow. The first steps are to start saving as this becomes the first step to raising capital towards a business,”
Simba wa Nairobi head coach Nicholas Muyoti who also attended the function appreciated the Chairman’s gesture:
“I have been to many teams as a player and as a coach and the reality is that teams will use you then at some point get others to replace you. I am really humbled that the chairman holds his players dearly and is ready to hold their hands in business ventures of their choice. I encourage all of them to take advantage of the chairman’s pledge,” said Muyoti.
Team coordinator Samson Otieno added his voice stating: “The core of JJF is to better the lives of those in the community. You are the heart of the community and the opportunity presented by the chairman is yours for the taking.”
Jonathan acquired City Stars in April 2019 to help support the Foundation. In two and a half years, the team has progressively risen from a relegation team in the second tier, to win it the next season to land in the topflight where the team is proving competitive.
