The squad of 25 Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars will be hoping to chase growth and hone their skills in a week-long high-intensity camp in Spain.
The squad departs Nairobi on Saturday evening, bound for Huesca, Spain, where they will immerse themselves in elite-level coaching, competitive friendlies and cultural experiences that promise to shape their future careers.
Out of 32 players named to the All-Stars roster, 25 will make the trip, while the rest have already hit major milestones with call-ups to national and international clubs.
In Spain, the youngsters will pit their wits against Huesca’s Youth Academy, train at the state-of-the-art Base Aragonesa de Futbol and take part in masterclasses with professional players.
Their itinerary also includes attending a fiery Segunda Division clash between SD Huesca and Málaga CF, as well as soaking in Spain’s rich culture through sightseeing tours. For Swaumu Masungo, the trip is a dream turned reality.
“Visiting Spain and experiencing world-class football has always been a dream, and now it is becoming a reality. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity, learn as much as possible, and use the lessons to grow my football career,” she said. Leadership will rest on the shoulders of Stanley Waswa of Ndura Sports Academy (boys) and Manda Sunira Were of Highland Royals Moi Girls (girls), with coaches Chrispine Odindo of Plateau Queens and Evans Oketch of Obunga FC providing guidance.
Representatives from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will also accompany the team. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa underlined the wider vision of the Chapa Dimba initiative.
“Chapa Dimba has always been about opening doors of opportunity for Kenyan youth, and today, we are proud to see that vision come alive in an even bigger way."
Ndegwa hailed the strides already made by several players who have earned call-ups to national and international sides. "Not only are these young players travelling to Spain to sharpen their skills, but many of their teammates have also earned call-ups to top national and international clubs."
"To see players like Austin Odongo, Emily Moranga, and Khamis Nyale break into professional clubs, while others take this next big step in Spain, fills us with immense pride. This is the heartbeat of Safaricom Chapa Dimba: empowering our youth, transforming their lives, and showcasing Kenyan football talent to the world,” he noted.
