Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has challenged the Football Kenya Federation to focus more on investing and developing grassroots football even as the country prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations 2027.Speaking on Thursday afternoon when he presented the state of Kenya’s preparedness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with neighbors Uganda and Tanzania to the parliamentary Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, Namwamba said matters of youth development are not negotiable.##NAJAVA_MECA_7873174##“The target to prepare Harambee Stars is critical, Youth Development is not negotiable and we have made it clear to FKF that in readiness to host AFCON’27, we need to get back to the grassroots and ensure we grow Sports in a manner that will bring economic values to our country,” stated Namwamba.The CS who was flanked by Sports Permanent Secretary Peter Tum assured of government support to the national team.At the same time, he challenged the team to focus on competing rather than participating.“We do not want our Harambee Stars to merely participate, we want them to compete. As a Government, we are ready to support them fully,” he added.Harambee Stars drop one place in latest FIFA RankingsThe CS further added that the ministry was working round the clock to ensure the upgrading of sporting infrastructure to international standards.Namwamba disclosed that Shanzu in Mombasa is being considered as a possible center for the proposed Talanta City Stadium, one of the facilities earmarked to host AFCON 2027.CS Ababu; “We are upgrading our sporting infrastructure to International standards as part of our master plan to co-host the AFCON’27 with Uganda and Tanzania.” pic.twitter.com/E8hbt8wdaC— Min. of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports (@moyasa_ke) February 15, 2024 Initially, the government had planned to erect the stadium at the Jamhuri Sports Ground, but focus now seems to be swinging to the Coastal region.”We are upgrading our sporting infrastructure to International standards as part of our master plan to co-host the AFCON’27 with Uganda and Tanzania.”“Jamhuri Grounds has always been the primary venue. But, this is a public facility constructed with taxpayers’ money and it must be subjected to public conversations. Even before, there had been conversations on possible venues even within the Nairobi metropolis. There have also been conversations around Konza and Nakuru as well,” Namwamba told members of the fourth estate after appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Sports.Wanjala demands for ruthlessness from strikers in league clash against Mulembe UnitedThe groundbreaking of the Talanta City Stadium is expected in March with the CS adamant that talks will have concluded before the event.
