President William Ruto graciously welcomed AFC Leopards to State House Nairobi in honor of the esteemed football club’s 60th anniversary celebrations.Established as Kenya’s oldest football institution, AFC Leopards marked its momentous milestone on Tuesday, embarking on a series of commemorative events culminating in a grand sports extravaganza slated for March 24th.##NAJAVA_MECA_7950817##In a concerted effort to galvanize support for the occasion, the club has extended invitations to key stakeholders, with the latest being the head of state himself, who warmly hosted the team alongside Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba at State House Nairobi on Thursday morning.Expressing enthusiasm for the burgeoning sports industry, President Ruto emphasized its pivotal role in his administration’s BETA agenda, aimed at expanding opportunities for Kenya’s youth. Central to this vision is the monetization of talent and the commercialization of sporting institutions, pivotal components in propelling the nation’s transformation forward.Reflecting on AFC Leopards’ storied history, President Ruto lauded the club’s achievements, citing 12 Kenya Premier League titles, 10 Kenya Cup titles, and five CECAFA Club Championship titles among its illustrious accolades.Marcelo out of Harambee Stars’ Four-Nation TournamentMoreover, he paid tribute to the club’s legacy of producing exceptional football talent, including luminaries such as Josephat Murila, Mohamud Abbas, Wilberforce Mulamba, and JJ Masiga, underscoring their enduring impact on Kenya’s footballing landscape.During the gathering, President Ruto engaged with AFC Leopards’ leadership, led by Chairman Dan Shikanda and his executive team, as they outlined their ambitious plans to elevate the club into a formidable corporate entity. Pledging governmental support, President Ruto affirmed the commitment to advancing transformative agendas within sports, notably through initiatives like the Talanta Hela program, championed under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports.In closing, President Ruto urged fellow football clubs to emulate AFC Leopards’ progressive approach and seize the transformative opportunities presented by his administration’s flagship initiatives. In attendance was Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, underscoring the government’s steadfast dedication to fostering the growth and development of sports across Kenya.”We fully support these progressive plans, and invite other football clubs to follow suit by taking advantage of the transformative agenda my administration is rolling out through our Talanta Hela flagship initiative under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports,” the head of state remarked.Firat promises to explain Austin Odhiambo’s omission from Harambee Stars
