KLABU and On are highlighting a higher purpose of sport, one rooted in community and connection. What began as a quiet collaboration in 2023 has now grown into a multi-year partnership aimed at unlocking the power of sport and movement in some of the world's most neglected communities.

Image source: KLABU

The mission

On's social impact program 'Right To Run' has joined forces with the cross-border sports club KLABU to transform sport into a lifeline. Something that is accessible and available to everyone, and most importantly, that fuels belonging, joy, and resilience.

KLABU is an Amsterdam-based organisation that builds community-led clubhouses where refugees can discover and practice sports, regardless of their circumstances. Together with On, the two are creating a lasting impact, celebrating the resilience and power of the human spirit through movement.

The M'bera Clubhouse

The beginning of this collaborative journey starts at M'bera, a refugee camp in the Mauritanian desert near the Malian border. Officially opened on May 12, 2025, the M'bera Clubhouse was created with the support of On, UNHCR and the local community, representing a movement towards equal access to sport.

The clubhouse is open daily and run by community managers to offer a full sports library, organised training sessions, cultural events, and Champions League screenings. Since its opening, it has welcomed over 14000 participants, with nearly half of them being girls who had never been able to participate in sports before. Additionally, the clubhouse offers safe sanitation and female-led initiatives to ensure an empowering and inclusive space.

The clubhouse complements M’bera’s existing infrastructure, including schools, banks, and markets, facilitating the camp’s transition into a vibrant, sustainable settlement.

Image source: KLABU

What makes this collaboration different is their shared philosophy. For both KLABU and On, sport is a tool for rebuilding identity, strengthening social ties, and cultivating hope. Hence, the M'bera Clubhouse is only the beginning. Each year of the partnership will bring a new clubhouse to life:

• In 2025, the Commewijne Spirit opens in Suriname and will be in partnership with Community Tennis Suriname to support youth development through tennis.

• A third location is planned for later this year, with details still under wraps, but with the same mission.

Right To Run

If you’ve looked closely at the photos, you may have spotted On’s shoes proudly worn by the girls of Nyagoa’s running club in Kalobeyei, Kenya. Every Saturday, they lace up and run through the camp, mirrored by On runners in Amsterdam’s Westerpark. Two distant places, united by one shared rhythm.

Image source: KLABU

This connection is at the heart of Right To Run, On’s flagship social impact program. Partnering with over 75 organisations worldwide, the initiative champions the right to movement for underserved communities, linking urban running clubs and remote refugee camps through the transformative power of sport.

Image source: On

KLABU and On offer something radically human: a reason to play, a place to belong, and a path to a better tomorrow.

As Jan van Hövell, KLABU’s founder, puts it: “This is only the beginning. Partnering with On has amplified our impact, and together, we’re rewriting what sport can mean for refugees around the world.”

To learn more about how you can support this movement, visit klabu.org