Sammy Owino, widely known as “Kempes,” a former Kenya International, has lauded the government’s move to provide Kenyan youth with opportunities to exhibit their talents on the global stage through the Talanta Hela Initiative.Reflecting on the announcement by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba regarding Kenya’s participation in all youth World Cup qualifiers this year, Owino, who himself emerged from the Olympic Youth Development program in the 1970s, emphasized the importance of laying a solid foundation and establishing proper infrastructure for the future of football in the country.##NAJAVA_MECA_8063298##In a recent Facebook post, CS Namwamba stated, “For the first time in Kenya’s history, we are entering teams for all youth World Cup qualifiers at each age level, both boys and girls.” Namwamba further highlighted this initiative as part of a deliberate effort to revive Kenyan football, focusing on youth investment and grassroots development, stating, “Building tomorrow today.”Expressing his delight at seeing numerous talents from the Talanta Hela pipeline in these national teams, Owino emphasized that investing in youth is pivotal for the sport’s development in the country. “I am impressed by the Sports ministry’s endeavors. It marks a positive step forward, yet more remains to be accomplished to establish a robust foundation,” he remarked.To ensure the emergence of quality players at the elite level, Owino stressed the necessity of investing in youth development and establishing grassroots infrastructure as the bedrock for growth.Mozzart Bet Cup: Chetambe goal knocks out defending championsHowever, he underscored the need for collaborative efforts between the government, the federation, and the corporate sector.Owino drew attention to the current lack of viable youth structures and pushed for the establishment of young leagues and competitions, such as the Safaricom-sponsored Chapa Dimba, to support these initiatives. Acknowledging corporate backing from Safaricom and the government’s engagement through Talanta Hela, he underscored the need for a targeted approach to ensure a sustainable future.”Tournaments like Chapa Dimba serve well for talent identification, but we must institute a long-term, sustainable program for talent development,” Owino emphasized. He proposed the establishment of youth development centres and leagues with a holistic approach to talent nurturing.Gladys Chepkurui hoping to put travel hitch behind her for Istanbul Half successAccording to Owino, integrating talent development into the school curriculum is essential, with the Ministry of Education playing a crucial role in fostering such an environment. “Developing talent from grassroots levels will facilitate clubs enrolling young local talents effortlessly, leading to an enhancement in the league’s quality and, subsequently, improved national team performances,” he elaborated.Owino also emphasized the importance of nurturing young coaches and referees, highlighting the need for increased emphasis on their development.
