07/11/2025
UPDATE: Simon Logilae, the Founder and CEO of Hillside Academy FC, leads one of Turkana’s most promising football institutions, a Division One club competing at the third tier of Kenyan football under the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) league structure.
Formed through resilience and community spirit, Hillside Academy represents a new chapter in Turkana’s sporting landscape. In a county where structured sports programs and national investment remain limited, the club has become a beacon of hope for talented young players. Many of them train under harsh conditions, often without full kits or professional facilities, yet remain committed to realizing their football dreams.
For Simon, football is more than a game; it is a pathway for youth empowerment, social cohesion, and regional visibility. His vision is to professionalize local football by nurturing disciplined, skilled athletes capable of competing at the national and international levels.
Unlike many local clubs that are formed and left to struggle for survival, Hillside FC under the leadership of CEO Simon Logilae envisions a sustainable model, a club owned by the people and managed through trust. Simon believes that football should not only entertain but also unite communities and create opportunities for youth development. His goal is to build a team whose identity reflects the resilience and pride of Turkana, a club that grows with and belongs to its fans.
Drawing inspiration from Arsenal FC, one of the world’s most iconic football clubs, Hillside seeks to replicate a legacy of discipline, vision, and community ownership. Founded in 1886 by a group of munitions workers in Woolwich, South London, Arsenal began as a workers’ club and evolved into a global football powerhouse through consistency, strategic leadership, and fan loyalty. Its values, teamwork, resilience, and belief in “The Arsenal Way”, ontinue to inspire millions across generations.
Similarly, Hillside FC is nurturing that same spirit in Turkana County.
Yesterday, during Hillside Day, the club held a community engagement event to introduce the team to potential supporters and stakeholders, share the inspiration behind its founding, and outline its long-term development goals. The event underscored the club’s mission to shape the future of Turkana through sports, talent development, and opportunity creation.