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Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has revealed that Kenya and Serbia have entered into a key agreement that will help in sports development.

The minister stated that the two countries have agreed on a number of issues, including a policy that will see national teams train in the European nation.

Agreed cooperation

“Held talks in Belgrade with Serbian Football Federation President, the legend Dragan Dzajic, and general secretary Jovan Surbatovic. Our agreed cooperation will start with youth and women’s football development and Harambee Stars training camps. Serbia is ranked 25th by FIFA; Kenya are 102,” Namwamba said in a statement.

The minister, however, did not divulge what the agreement entails in full or when it will start to be implemented.

The CS’s claim comes after the national men’s football team participated in the Four Nations tournament in Mauritius. Kenya managed a win over Pakistan and a loss to Mauritius, and the result was not well received by the fan base.

When the cooperation is implemented, Kenyans will also want to see whether the benefits will be spread to the teams and players in the Premier League who would like to pursue their dreams in Europe.

While the majority of the supporters feel that it was an underwhelming performance given that Harambee Stars played lowly-ranked nations, head coach Engin Firat was confident that the tournament was helpful.

“We aim to try out players who are eligible to play for us. We are here to see which players will help us in the long run, and who will step up when given the opportunity.

“The purpose of the camp was not only to secure victories but also to explore new players, different positions, and alternative team formations,” Firat said in an earlier interview.

Firat’s call

The head coach has also called for patience as he looks to develop the team into a strong and competitive outfit.

Since he took over, Firat has been calling for the Football Kenya Federation to organize friendlies for Harambee Stars against top nations. Apart from playing in the June Four-Nations tournament, the Harambee Stars initially played and lost against Iran. The Middle East nation defeated Kenya 2-1 in what was the country’s first match after FIFA lifted its suspension.

The former Budalangi Member of Parliament played a key role in ensuring the suspension was lifted and Kenya returned to the football fraternity.

AFCON and World Cup qualification

If what Namwamba said is implemented, it will help the national team strengthen and even qualify for international tournaments on a regular basis. Firat’s eyes are set on the next Africa Cup of Nations qualification as well as the World Cup qualifying games.

A return to the AFCON finals is what Firat would like to help Kenya achieve in the short term after missing out on the previous edition that was played in Cameroon. They will not participate in the 2023 AFCON finals scheduled for Ivory Coast because, when the qualifiers were going on, the country was under suspension.

Meanwhile, a friendly match for the Harambee Starlets against Albania had to be cancelled at the last minute, a week before it was due. The women’s national team has yet to play a game since the FIFA suspension was lifted.

A close relationship and development partnership with Serbia will go a long way in helping Harambee Stars establish itself as a competitive side. 

Namwamba also talked about youth development, and his comment came a day before the U18 side had to call their camp off after the 2023 CECAFA tournament was postponed for the fourth time.