•In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Babu expressed gratitude to the Football Kenya Federation for selecting him for the position.
Babu will be assisted by Bidco United head coach Anthony Akhulia and veteran high school football coach Peter Mayoyo who guided St. Anthony’s Kitale to the 2023 national title.
Image: FILE
Experienced top-flight gaffer Salim Babu has expressed delight after being handed the mandate to guide the Kenya Under-18 national team.
His appointment comes as Kenya continues to prepare for the forthcoming Cecafa boys’ U-18 Championships, which will be contested in Kisumu from November 25 to December 9.
In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Babu expressed gratitude to the Football Kenya Federation for selecting him for the position.
“I’m so happy. That’s great news. I’m ready for the task ahead. We shall immediately lay the ground for preparations given the tournament begins in a week.
“We still don’t have a squad in place but we shall be unveiling a list at least by tomorrow so that we can have the team in camp as early as possible,” he added.
Babu, who is currently Kenya Police FC’s assistant coach in the Kenyan Premier League, has just two weeks to put together a strong team for the annual regional football championship.
He will be assisted by Bidco United head coach Anthony Akhulia and veteran high school football coach Peter Mayoyo who guided St. Anthony’s Kitale to the 2023 national title.
Samuel Koko has been named the goalkeeper trainer while Ronny Oyando is the team manager. Others on the technical bench are Boniface Odire (physiotherapist), Fredrick Otieno (team doctor), and Jectan Oitang’or (kit manager).
FKF also named coaches to guide the boys and girls under-15 teams that will participate in the forthcoming Caf Pan African Schools championships scheduled to take place in Nairobi between December 10 and December 15.
Renowned FKF instructor Leonard Odipo has been picked to guide the boys’ under-15 team alongside Benard Kawinzi (assistant coach), and Hesbon Nyabinge (assistant coach).
Yala Township Primary School teacher Ben Ochieng has been appointed team manager with Lawrence Suji taking up the role of physiotherapist. Others are Noel Mandi (team doctor), George Wambugu (GK trainer), and Isaac Munene (kit manager).
Former Harambee Starlets head coach Jackline Akoth will head the girls’ under-15 team with Mathare United women’s head gaffer Ann Aluoch and Leah Kigameas as her assistants.
Rosemary Wairimu, a teacher at Bondeni Primary School in Nairobi, has been named the U15 girls’ team manager.
Esther Aluoch will serve as the team’s physiotherapist, Edith Macharia (team doctor), Pauline Awuor (GK trainer), and Rebecca Auma (kit manager).
FKF said the appointments of teachers to the technical benches align with their vision of empowering teachers with coaching education and experiences.
Over the past year, FKF has deliberately included teachers in their coaching programs to ensure players receive proper guidance during their formative years.
“Youth players spend a significant amount of time in school. It is for this reason that we resolved to empower teachers with coaching education and certification,” FKF CEO Barry Otieno said.
“FKF remains committed to the wholesome development of Youth and Women’s football, and we believe these appointments will aid our long-term goal of ensuring our players are coached by qualified personnel,” he added.