Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba declared that the government has established the requisite conditions to propel Kenyan football to remarkable heights.
In an interview on Tuesday, Namwamba emphasized that the football landscape in Kenya is evolving positively.
He stated that the government is prepared to mobilize resources and create the platform for Kenya to qualify for and compete in major global tournaments, ultimately aiming for victory.
Namwamba attributed the success story of Harambee Starlets’ Under-17 team to effective youth development frameworks established by the government.
“Our girls have written a whole new chapter in the nation’s history as the first national team to qualify for the World Cup,” the CS remarked.
“These are the fruits of Talanta Hela. We introduced the initiative last year where we scouted for talent in schools and the villages,” he added.
The CS said the government will continue to bolster youth development frameworks with sights firmly trained on international conquest.
“Last year, we also worked together with the Kenya Academy of Sports to host a successful talent camp that brought together 2000 budding athletes,” he remarked.
“We selected and sent both boys and girls teams to Spain.
The vast majority of girls currently featuring for the Harambee Starlets Under-17 team are those drawn from the Talanta Hela initiative. We are happy to see the fruits of the initiative after hard work,” he added.
Namwamba underscored the importance of establishing a robust youth football league, stating, “I have urged FKF to revive and enhance the youth league to provide continuous competition for youngsters.
” He highlighted the benefits of such competitions, citing the U20 segment during the Four Nations tournament in Malawi as an example, where U20 players gained valuable experience.
Regarding government incentives to motivate national teams, Namwamba mentioned, “We have put in place incentives to encourage national teams to excel in their pursuits.”
This statement coincided with the Treasury’s allocation of Sh16.5 billion to the Sports Ministry for the financial year 2024/25. Finance Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u announced this budget increase in Parliament on Thursday, a substantial rise from the previous year’s allocation of Sh6.4 billion.
Namwamba’s remarks followed Kenya’s historic qualification for the 2024 Fifa Women’s Under 17 World Cup, marking the nation’s first-ever ticket to the prestigious tournament. The event will take place in the Dominican Republic later this year, where Kenya will compete against 15 other nations, including Brazil, Colombia, Nigeria, Spain, and the USA.
