Gov’t to launch bottom-up football tournament – Ruto

President William Ruto on Monday, December 12, announced that the government is planning to invest heavily in youth football.

In his speech during the 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo stadium in Nairobi, the President noted that he will soon launch a bottom-up tournament with combined efforts by both the national government and county governments. 

The tournament will be open to youths under the age of 19 in an effort to train them and hopefully qualify to compete in the 2030 World Cup.

“Arrangements are at an advanced stage to launch a Bottom-up football tournament to be contested by under-19 teams from all 47 Counties,” the President said.

Adding;

“We will work with our governors for each County to build a team right from the ward level. This is the first step in our Football Vision 2030 where we target to see Harambee Stars play at the 2030 World Cup and Kenya host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Together, let us build Kenyan football Bottom-up, from the grassroots of our villages to the grand stage of the World Cup.”

Further, the Head of State said he will also unveil a payment plan dubbed ‘Talanta Hela’ as a way to monetize the sports and creative industry.

“Through the revolutionary ‘TALANTA HELA’ Plan, we will rebuild and monetize our sports and creative industry. As part of this plan, I have accepted to champion a grassroots football development program that will see the national government work with county governments to invest heavily in youth football,” he noted.