After multiple months of speculations and fears about the much-publicized Talanta Hela countrywide football tournament, the tourney is finally set for today’s kick-off at the iconic Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababbu Namwamba is expected to oversee the first match of the under-19 tournaments with Uasin Gishu County taking on Baringo County from 1 pm.

The competition was first announced by President William Ruto last year at Nyayo Stadium during the 59th Jumhuri Day celebrations and the official launch was done at State House Nairobi in June where the draw was conducted.

The president spoke vividly about the introduction of the Bottom-Up tournament to hasten talent development from grassroots levels for the growth of the sport in the country.

Since then, it has been eight months of waiting and pondering about the structure and the future of the tournament its final is set for this year’s Jamhuri Day at Nyayo Stadium.

CS Namwamba has in previous media interviews dismissed the notions that the football competition had stalled, noting that it involved a lot of planning for its commencement and fruition.

“Talanta Hela has not stalled, there has been a lot of planning that has been going on. Because it involves a lot of things, it is not about football only. This involves a lot of activities like football, artistry, music, and cinema, Talanta Hela has many things under one roof and there has been a number of activities going on,” Namwamba told Milele FM Sports.

The tournament is also set to kick off tomorrow in other counties according to a statement from the Ministry of Sports.

He added: “We will work with our governors for each county to build a team from the ward level. This is the first step in our football vision 2030 where we target Harambee Stars to play in 2030. Let us build Kenyan football Bottom-Up.”

A total of 16 teams from the eight regions (formally provinces) will take part at the national level before the culmination of the tournament on December 12.

Based on the draw conducted at the State House Nairobi, Rift Valley A will battle Coast B in the opening game at the National level.

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has also been named the Brand Ambassador of the Intercounty championships.