Imagine if you could tailor sports development and the promotion of the sports industry so precisely that you attract exactly the talents who see these activities as not just as a job, but as a calling? Imagine having an arsenal of strategies and practical approaches that are not just about filling the gaps but crafting a powerhouse of talent? Now picture this imagination coming to life and delivering everything you dreamt and thought it would be: that is the end game envision for our flurry of youth talent development programmes.

The global sports landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, and in a world of customized talent acquisition, it is about finding the right people with a genuine passion for these sectors. There is no magic or shortcut in Kenya’s dream for success on the international scene and the only way to ameliorate our standards is through deliberate, intentional and structured investment in our youth and young talent.

In the words of Jose Protasio Rizal, a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath, “The youth is the hope of our future.” These words contribute to the foundation of concerted efforts made in Kenya to curate talent development programmes in line with the long-term ambition to make this country a sports powerhouse globally in the near future.

Talent progression pipeline programs are instrumental to this level of investment as they serve as the backbone for grooming talent, offering structured pathways for their development from grassroots levels to elite competition (talent development and career transitioning). These programs not only facilitate the discovery of prodigious talent but also ensure a sustainable supply of skilled sportspersons and athletes.

I am more than proud to speak to the fact that Kenya now has a fully-fledged and operational talent progression pipeline initiative that has already marked significant successes in talent development and progression in sports: the Talanta Hela Initiative. This flagship initiative was launched by H.E the President on 9th June, 2023, to identify, nurture, and monetize talents nationwide. The platform is empowering individuals by turning talents into sustainable livelihoods, supporting both economic growth and youth development (Pesa Mfukoni).

Aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Talanta Hela has established a vital pipeline: from grassroots talent discovery, training and progression, monetization to elite transformation in Kenya. In football, for instance, I am proud to say that we are right on track to redeeming our football space on the international scene. I have made it very clear to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) that we cannot limit our focus on the senior teams alone; we must see to the formation of a National Talent Pool and youth national teams through a bottom-up approach. To this end, through the Talanta Hela Initiative, Kenya now has a resource from which we can feed into national teams at age grouped teams: the U15, U17, U18, U19 and U20 levels.

This pool has been significant to elite transitioning as some players, the likes of Aldrin Kibet, Amos Wanjala and Alvin Kasavuli, all from the Talanta Hela Initiative tournaments and the national talent pool, were called to play during CECAFA U18 hosted in Kenya in December, 2023.

For the first time in the history of Kenyan football, three age grouped teams are out for build-up games beyond the Kenyan boarders:

It is worth noting with pride that our Rising Stars bagged a most satisfying win in Lilongwe, Malawi against Zimbabwe’s U20 team in Malawi’s Four Nations Tournament on 22nd March, 2024. Additionally, our Talanta Hela U-19 boys’ team, under the guidance of coach Stanley Okumbi, and the U19 Girls’ team coached by Jacklyne Juma, will be in Taragona Spain where they will feature in the Mediterranean International Cup tournament and in training camps. These opportunities will offer the youngsters the necessary exposure as they set their sights on representing Kenya at the senior level in the near future.

A win that certainly cannot be overlooked has to be that of our Seniors’ Team, Harambee Stars’ during the Four Nations Tournament.  Beating host Malawi 4-0 and cruising to the finals has been the most satisfying highlight of my week and I am confident that this does not apply to only me. I am certain that this resonates with our public at large. The Seniors Team’s win on 23rd March, 2024 in Malawi is reflective our commitment to revitalizing this football space.

Thanks to this Initiative, we now have a pool that underpins Kenya’s vision to qualify for both the FIFA 2027 Women’s World Cup and the FIFA 2030 Men’s World Cup. Closer to home and our timeline, H.E the President commended the December, 2023 Talanta Hela U-19 tournament, giving his assurance that the tournament was held with 2027 AFCON in mind and its successes were key for Harambee Stars Success at AFCON 2027- It certainly fills me with pride that this initiative and our talent development pool will feed into this very prominent continental showpiece.

Should these be successful, I have every ounce of trust that this Ministry, our administration and Kenya at large, will have unparalleled bragging rights, all courtesy of our progression pipeline programme.

In athletics, the Ministry, partnership with Athletics Kenya has established 43 training youth camps to facilitate the identification and nurturing of athletic talents. The Government is additionally in the initial stages of expanding the services offered by the Kenya Academy of Sports to encompass all sports and arts disciplines. This expansion includes devolving services to the grassroots level by setting up branches regionally, within counties, and at the constituency level. This speaks to the Government’s commitment to decentralized talent development efforts and nurture and harness Talent in every corner of Kenya, from Garissa to Bungoma.

The Ministry has entered into historic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and partnerships to bolster the sports industry. For instance, the Ministry signed a deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in New York that will result in the American basketball franchise establishing offices in Nairobi and investing in a comprehensive basketball development program across Kenya. Additionally, partnerships have been established locally with KCB, Safaricom, CFAO Motors, and KBC in sports. Discussions are underway to formalize partnerships on talent identification and nurturing with Germany and Morocco.

In the spirit of holistic development beyond just physical conditioning, this initiative is intent on affording our sportspersons and athletes comprehensive support beyond just supporting their physical prowess. There are plans underway to set up a management and follow-up mechanism under which payouts made to the youth in sports can be overseen to ensure it is put to good use and contributes to important aspects of their development such as their education.

Additionally, the Ministry is looking into policy development to cater to our sportsperson, athletes in their time beyond active service. Talanta Hela will ensure that ties with our talents are not severed upon their retirement and/or exit from service due to life-altering injuries or illnesses. We are making concerted efforts to put in place health-centered systems, for both physical and mental wellness and nourishment, to see to it that these talents lead balanced lives off active space.

I am convinced beyond a doubt that the Government’s continued commitment to nurture and harness Talent in every corner, and are reflective of the fact that we are headed in the right direction.

The writer is the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports