On December 12, 2022, during his first Jamhuri Day address as the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto announced that his government would champion a bottom-up football development plan, working with national and county governments to grow football in the country.“I will champion a grassroots football development program that will see the national government work with county governments to invest heavily in youths’ football. Arrangements are at the first stage to launch a bottom-up football tournament to be contested by U19 teams from all the counties. We will work with our governors for each county to build a team right from the ward level. This is the first step in our football vision for 2030 where we will target our Harambee Stars to play at the 2030 World Cup and Kenya to host the 2027 AFCON games. Together let’s build Kenyan football from the bottom up,” the President was quoted saying during the Jamhuri Day celebrations.##NAJAVA_MECA_7738461##Exactly one year later, Kenyans were treated to dazzling finals of the Talanta Hela Under 19 Inter County football tournament which marked Jamhuri Day celebrations.The Talanta Hela U19 tournament started in August from the ward level, building on to the regional finals where the country was divided into 12.Winners of each region qualified for the nationals and were joined by four more who qualified from the play-off tournament staged in Nyeri.Homa Bay, Busia clinch Talanta Hela Inter-County tournament titlesThe nationals took 10 days, with matches staged across three venues; Nyayo National Stadium, Jamhuri Grounds, and the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.Homabay carried the day after beating Kisumu 4-2 in the dazzling men’s final played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday 12. Busia emerged victorious in the girl’s category after dazzling Kisumu 2-1 in the final.IT IS HOME! Congratulations to the indomitable GENOWA Boys for the grit and determination and a wonderful well deserved win 🏆! #EndlessPotential#TalantaHelaTrophyFinals pic.twitter.com/YRXTlENT6d— Gladys Wanga, E.G.H. (@gladyswanga) December 12, 2023 President Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Ababu Namwamba, and Homabay County Governor Gladys Wanga among other dignitaries were present to witness the curtains of the competitive tournament roll down.The main aim of the tournament was to identify, nurture, and monetize football talents from the grassroots level in various regions of the country.The tournament aligned with CS Namwamba’s vision of fostering a thriving sports culture and ensuring that talents could be transformed into lucrative opportunities. In the true spirit of monetizing talents, the winners went home Ksh. 5 million richer.The youthful CS was glad that plans were underway to see a smooth transition from the teams to academies.The top scouted talents will now be invited to the Kenya Academy of Sports for a Talent Camp, where their skills will be sharpened further in the road to monetization and careers in sports.Present were Gov. @gladyswanga, @GovernorBii as well as PS @EngPeterKTum.#TalantaHela pic.twitter.com/cLxejwlO5S— Min. of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports (@moyasa_ke) December 12, 2023 “I am extremely proud. I am happy for the young people who have had the opportunity to showcase their talents on the grandest stage nationally. They have played in front of the people of Kenya and watched by the President,” CS Namwamba said.”More importantly, they have been watched by top scouts. We have invited the top leadership from the Nastic Soccer Academy in Spain and they have been here for two days. We have an arrangement on how we can get more young people to join the Academy,” he continued.He stressed that the success of the tournament was a potent indication of the nation’s capacity to develop a strong pool of football talents. With the country set to be among the hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Namwamba was confident that Kenya would produce a fine-tuned team for the challenge.”We have demonstrated that if you are deliberate, intentional, and structured, you can create a talent pipeline. This is how Morocco made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup, by investing in youth football and grassroots. They have proven that it can be done,” he remarked.Mukwanga the hero as Uganda beat Tanzania to lift CECAFA Zone CAF African Schools Football Championship Boys’ TitleThe forward-thinking CS foresees a bright future for football in the country, only if the necessary steps are taken to invest in talents at the grassroots level.”This is huge for the future of football in the country. On day one in office, I announced that for Kenya to get to the high table of global football, there is only one route; investing in youth and grassroots football, essentially from the bottom up. We designed this tournament to allow every Kenyan child to be seen and express themselves,” he averred.With the success of the inaugural edition now behind him, the CS promised Kenyans bigger and better editions in the subsequent years. He pointed out that they would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that young, talented youths reap from their talents.”Next year we will run an even more improved fashion. It is all coming together nicely,” he concluded.Uganda sneak past Kenya to clinch CECAFA Zone CAF African Schools Football Championship Girls’ TitleHis sentiments were echoed by President Ruto who lauded the young players for their skill and dedication to the final stage, highlighting the pivotal role of such competitions in growing talent from the bottom up.”The Talanta Hela tournament has allowed young people from across Kenya to demonstrate their talent and expertise. This game of football will be different because of Talanta Hela. I am confident that apart from giving them a chance, this will monetize their talents and allow them to make football a job for them so that they can earn from their talents,” the President said.
