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Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba has revealed why the government has prioritized the initiative to scout young talents and prepare them for future national duties.

Recently, the ministry, in conjunction with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and other soccer stakeholders, has come up with plans to scout for talents and send them to elite academies for further development.

Among the recently scouted youngsters are Aldrine Kibet, who starred in the national school games and moved to Nastic Academy in Spain alongside Amos Wanjala and Kasavuli.

“We want to see the boys we brought to Kasarani for one week for the camp and the boys we have supported go to foreign academies. We want to see whether the identification and the nurturing we have invested in them can be seen in a competitive environment.

“And we do that because we believe that to build competitive Harambee Stars and Starlets, we must give our best talents and the youngest age possible to show us what they are made of,” Namwamba told the press.

Meanwhile, the CS explained why the government has made several bids to host continental competitions. Apart from the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON finals), which was successfully secured with Tanzania and Uganda, the 2024 African Championship of Nations (CHAN) is set to be hosted in the country.

The CECAFA U18 Championship, which will feature Kenya alongside Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Zanzibar, Tanzania, and South Sudan, will be staged in the country in December.

“This administration will take deliberate measures and deliberate steps to attract elite competitions to Kenya for the purposes of developing talent and promoting and marketing Kenya as a destination of choice.

“We are delighted, as the government and as a ministry, to get the opportunity to host this tournament. We are very keen to host important events as a government. For those who may not be in the know, we are not just shooting in the dark. We are not just moving aimlessly by trying to bid for every tournament in town.

“It is deliberate, intentional, structured, and planned, and it is in sync with the plan and the manifesto that brought this government to office,” Namwamba stated.

Kenya was also selected to host the CECAFA U15 tournament.