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Last weekend, World football governing body Fifa launched the Football for Schools (F4S) Programme, a project tailored to harness existing talent.

The programme which was rolled out in Kakamega is a joint initiative by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Fifa.

We believe the venture will highlight a new beginning in tapping talent from the grassroots and could go a long way in serving as a feeder to the national men and women soccer teams, Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets respectively.

It was heartening that the venture came only a week after Kakamega prepares itself to host the National Secondary School Games which remain a breeding ground for Kenya’s top players, some of who went ahead to ply their trade in European leagues. Among them are MacDonald Mariga, Dennis Oliech, Micheal Olunga and Victor Wanyama.

Children are highly receptive to learning and are unafraid to admit when they lack knowledge, which fuels their eagerness to acquire information. Thus, the best time to instill knowledge and interest in football is during their formative years.

Through the Football for Schools programme, the Football Kenya Federation aims to promote key football development agendas, particularly Youth and Women’s Football. It provides children across the country with an opportunity to embrace the love of the sport and to also receive proper training during their early football development stages.

The minors have had a lack of proper training, with this programme, they will be able to get proper training equipment.

To achieve the feat, 50 coach educators, selected from teachers across all 47 counties, with a keen interest in primary school football, recently attended a three-day football and life skills training session in Kakamega.

Subsequently, these educators will be tasked by FKF to conduct select football and life skills programmes in their respective regions.

For Kenya to attract the attention of Fifa, which has since lifted the embargo, in matters of football development is an indication that the world body means well for Kenya.