Harambee Stars’ head coach calls for support of football kids

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has called on football-loving Kenyans to show their support for football kids as they are the future of the nation.

At the weekend, the 53-year-old Turkish tactician accompanied by Harambee Stars assistant coach Ken Odhiambo, visited Kibera Slums where they interacted with football-playing kids from the area and their coaches. Firat and Odhiambo took the opportunity to train the kids and later handed them equipment to aid them in their matches and training sessions.

Speaking afterward, Firat underscored the need for every football-loving Kenya to show love for the kids as they are the future of the country.

“I don’t want to talk about it always but from the first day I came to Kenya I am always trying to be there with the kids that are trying to play football and to give them a chance and that is why I am here in Kibera, the boys need support, they are the future of any nation,” Firat told People Sports.

“These boys must be supported, from clubs, players to coaches, we need to support the kids, it is not about football it’s about giving them hope for the future and helping them to learn several key things like discipline and respect for each other, and there are a lot of points that can make the kids have a better future but with our support.”

Firat further dismissed suggestions that he only visits Kisumu for talent search by saying: “I am not only in Kisumu or whatever, normally I go for a minimum three matches per month in FKF Premier League, normally I don’t like to talk about it but the kids keep asking me you are the only one whose coming, nobody else, nobody from football.”

The visit to Kibera by Firat follows a recent tour to Kisumu to visit Lucas Maumo Kisuya, a coach living with disability, who despite his challenges, pursued his dreams and now handles Ki-sumu-based side, Desert Rangers in the FKF Sub-County league.

During the tour, Firat expressed his admiration for Kisuya’s journey by saying, “Lucas’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit. His dedication to the sport and his ability to inspire others is truly remarkable. He is an example of what can be achieved when one believes in their abilities.”

Just like the visit to Kibera, Firat accompanied by Odhiambo and on behalf of the Football Ken-ya Federation (FKF) presented Kisuya and his team with football equipment.

Firat, who graduated from Sports University in Germany before he started his professional career as an assistant coach for German manager Horst Hrubesch at Samsunspor in 1997, was appointed to lead Kenya on September 19, 2021, following the exit of Jacob “Ghost” Mulee.

His first major assignment saw him handle Kenya in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Mali, away and home, on October 8, and October 12, 2021, respectively. Kenya lost the home fixture 1-0 and the away fixture 5-0.