The final for the inaugural edition of the Bottoms Up Football Tournament under the Talanta Hela flagship project will take place on Jamhuri Day, December 12, 2023.This is according to a confirmation by the Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba during the unveiling of the Talanta Hela Council and the relevant technical committees, the Sports and the Creatives Committees, at Kasarani on Wednesday morning.”Bottoms up grassroot football tournament will be played from the ward level to the national level. The final will be played on Jamhuri Day in the presence of President William Samoei Ruto,” Namwamba said.The council will be chaired by the CS and will also include the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Sports, the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Youth Affairs and the Arts, the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Basic Education, and representatives from the Council of Governors.In addition to these government officials, the Council also includes notable figures from both the sports and creative sectors, such as David Langat, Debra Mallowah, Abraham Kipyego Mutai, Charles Gacheru, Claudia Naisabwa Leshomoo, Nobert Ouma, June Chepkemei and Dennis Itumbi.##NAJAVA_MECA_7023604##The Sports Technical Committee is led by renowned sports journalist Carol Radull who will chair the eleven member team. Other members include javelin star Julius Yego, Neddy Kutsuru, Alfred Makotsi, Sammy Shollei, Collins Kale, Kevin Mutai, Shilovelo Winna Shilavula, Daniel Nakeor Losiru and Staicy Shariffa Ochieng.They will all serve for three years. Here comes the Bottom Up U19 Tournament, championed by Dr RutoWhile the Council will provide vision and policy direction, ensure commitment to the initiative at the highest level of government, review progress, and approve necessary policy frameworks, the committee will be responsible for a range of activities, including promoting the growth of sports, supporting the Kenya Academy of Sports, using technology to identify and nurture talent.They will also help in establishing a framework to monetize sports and expand employment opportunities, managing the annual bottom-up football tournament, and supporting the Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets in their respective pursuits.According to Namwamba, The Talanta Hela programme is about monetizing talent and putting money into talent so that talents can be a major part of our economic conversation and development.
