Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has scrapped the Talanta Hela regional and national tournaments that was birthed by his predecessor Ababu Namwamba.The tournament was first held last year with the outstanding players travelling to Spain for the Costa Daurada Cup, training camp, and friendly matches.Launched by former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, the tournament kicked off in four regional zones, with the winners and first runners-up securing slots for the nationals.##NAJAVA_MECA_8547622##The tournament was open to boys and girls aged between 15 and 19, with its first national finals held in December last year, where President William Ruto was among those who attended.Cabinet Secretary for Sports Kipchumba Murkomen directed the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) to focus on scouting and nurturing young talents rather than organising the tournament, which he observed, fell outside the body’s mandate.A look at all 8 FKF presidential candidates vying to replace Nick MwendwaHe challenged federations and other stakeholders to pick from where KAS left off, citing that the body had a bigger task of spotting talents in primary and secondary schools.“I have directed the Kenya Academy of Sports to focus on nurturing young talents and leave older players, who have graduated from this level, to be managed and developed by their respective federations. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8547646##The national tournaments we held last year, though beneficial, can now be organized by sponsors, county governments, and federations. We want the Kenya Academy of Sports to concentrate on supporting young talent in primary and secondary schools. This is our focus,” said Murkomen in an interview with People Daily Sports.Improvements made on reopened Mbaraki Stadium after 9 monthsThe country felt the impact of the inaugural edition, as eleven players went to inspire the Junior Starlets to the FIFA World Cup held in the Dominican Republic.Further, a good number of boys helped the Rising Stars qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following the second-place finish in the CECAFA qualifiers.A few of the players scouted during the tournament and in the U17 camp gearing up for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
