Dr Pamela Kaithuru, Director for ISSUP Kenya, participated in a Planning Committee meeting held on 2 September 2026 as part of preparations for the National Summit on Mental Wellness, Physical Activity & Sport 2026.
The meeting marked an important step in shaping the Summit, including the adoption of a new name: the National Summit on Mental Wellness, Physical Activity & Sport 2026. Previously known as the Sports Wellness Summit, the new name better captures its broader focus on the connections between mental wellbeing, physical activity and sport.
The Summit is a Kenyan-led initiative grounded in the country’s experiences and priorities, while also offering opportunities for wider African and international engagement. It is expected to bring together athletes, coaches, policymakers, mental health and health professionals, researchers, educators, sports organisations, development partners, private-sector actors, technology innovators and communities.
Discussions during the meeting highlighted that effective sporting systems extend beyond competition and athletic achievement. Athlete wellbeing, mental health, safeguarding, substance-use prevention, access to appropriate health services, coach preparedness, nutrition, youth development, research, financing and institutional capacity all influence whether sporting environments adequately support individuals and communities.
The Summit will use evidence and experiences from Kenya as a foundation for knowledge exchange and collaboration. It will provide an opportunity for participants to share approaches, explore partnerships and identify solutions that may be adapted across different sporting and community settings.
ISSUP Kenya was among the institutions and stakeholders acknowledged for contributing perspectives to the planning process. Its participation reflects the importance of integrating substance-use prevention into wider conversations about mental wellness, athlete wellbeing, youth development and safe sporting environments.
Ahead of the main Summit, a Pre-Summit Partnership Breakfast will be held on 16 September 2026 in Nairobi. The event will allow prospective partners and stakeholders to explore the Summit’s direction, identify areas for collaboration and contribute to shaping the proposed longer-term consortium.
The National Summit on Mental Wellness, Physical Activity & Sport 2026 is convened by the Youth Initiative Development Programme.
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