• The blueprint includes promoting a grassroots football development program that will see the national government collaborating with county administrations to invest heavily in youth football.
• Kenya said last week it intends to submit a bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON with other countries in East Africa.
Image: FILE
It is more alive than ever that Kenya wants to participate in the Fifa World Cup for the first time.
A series of bold steps taken in recent weeks confirm the country's commitment towards this ambitious goal.
On Monday, President William Ruto launched a robust campaign to raise Kenyan football to the required levels of competition. Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, the Head of State explained a detailed plan aimed at developing grassroots football in the country.
The blueprint includes promoting a grassroots football development program that will see the national government collaborating with county administrations to invest heavily in youth football. The President revealed that the government will soon start a national competition to help develop local talent.
Plans are already at an advanced stage to roll out the grass-roots football tournament to be contested by under-19 teams from all 47 counties. The President said the Ministry of Sports will work closely with the 47 governors to achieve the creation of county teams from the ward level.
All these efforts aim to have Kenya in the 2030 World Cup. It is very encouraging to note that the country has set itself on a path that will take Harambee Stars to the most coveted international football tournament. Part of the government's vision is to create the environment for Kenya to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya said last week it intends to submit a bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON alongside East African neighbours. An official statement from the President's office said the intention is to build a national team that can qualify for the 2030 World Cup. It would be fair to describe this as a long shot that requires a lot of attention.
The country's dream to join the big stage has always been thwarted by selfish football administrators who put their interests ahead of national goals.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has already emphasised the government's desire to see all federations comply with the Sports Act. This will ensure activities of the federations continue to remain in tandem with national objectives. Such action is bound to accelerate all the targets that the government has set in sports.
Moreover, every effort must be made to reposition and make domestic football an attractive business. It has become difficult to take football seriously in a country where many feel it does not pay well enough to be pursued as a career. But all this is set to change if the president's sentiments are put into action.
More specifically, President Ruto said his administration is interested in turning sports into a major industry to employ young people. He said the government will rebuild and monetise sports through the revolutionary ‘Talanta Hela’ plan.
The development is a relief for many Kenyan footballers who continue to wallow in abject poverty despite their efforts to put food on the table through sports.
Finally, the government cannot afford to sideline key stakeholders in its ambitious plan. Everyone must be involved in an effective process.