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In the heart of Bukembe East Ward, Bungoma County, a transformative initiative is gaining momentum. The Serema Sports Talent Club, led by its visionary founder Alexander Sifuna Wamalwa and other like-minded friends, is making waves in the local community through scouting and nurturing young sports talent.

Speaking to People Sport, Wamalwa stated that this initiative was arrived at in regards to the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) program that involves talent development.

The program offers structured training in football in boys across four categories: U-10, U-12 and U-14. These age groups ensure that these players receive age-appropriate training and development, laying a strong foundation for future success.

The founder’s ambition extends beyond the ward, with a clear aim to develop players who can represent the region at national levels, including promising teams like the Junior Harambee Stars.

“The introduction of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Free Primary School in Kenya is the idea behind this. I saw the need to nurture these talents  below Grade Nine in rural areas so that tomorrow, they may earn from their Hod-given gifts in Kenya and abroad,” Wamalwa observed.

“Schools  may not be able to fully tap into these talents. For example, a school might have two or three exceptionally talented football players, while the rest are average. These average players cannot help the talented ones grow. Instead, we are picking the best players from different schools to form a formidable team.”

The sports enthusiast said Serema will leave no talent unattended to in Bukembe.

“We will continue training those who are less gifted but passionate about football. Additionally, we will not only focus on students, talented dropouts are also on our radar.”

Wamalwa added that the training activities are beneficial as they keep the young ones away from bad vices as the club remains poised to elevate the standard of football in the region.

“These trainings help keep the children engaged and stay away from some vices in the society;these children sometime get lost and engage in drug abuse or form wrong companies unknowingly.”

However, despite the enthusiasm and dedication from the players, the coordinators of the programme face significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of proper training kits and playgrounds.

This has prompted the founder to call on the local government, businesses, and well-wishers to step in and provide the necessary support.

Adequate training equipment is crucial for the safety and development of these junior athletes, and community involvement is essential for the program’s sustainability.

“The main challenge we are facing is inadequate playgrounds; we use school grounds which are normally busy. Local clubs also utilize these facilities, denying us ample time to train,” Wamalwa lamented.