CS Namwamba commits working with counties to enhance sports development in Kenya

CS Sports Ababu Namwamba together with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga

The Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Hon Ababu Namwamba on Wednesday held discussions with Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga, Tharaka Nithi County Governor Muthomi Njuki and Nyandarua County Governor Kiarie Badilisha, when they paid him a courtesy call.

They discussed areas of partnership and collaborations targeting the youth, sports, and the arts.

They also deliberated on the key role of the counties in the upcoming Grassroots Bottom-up football tournament and the Talanta Hela project.The CS called for their support in the implementation of the said projects that seeks to identify and nurture talents from grassroots.

Namwamba committed to work closely with the county governments towards developing key infrastructure for sports and the creative arts.

His initiative is in line with President William Ruto's announcement during the 2022 Jamhuri Day celebrations that his administration will launch a nationwide Bottom-up Under-19 football tournament starting at ward level in all 47 counties as part of Kenya Kwanza administration's Football Vision 2030.

The Bottom-Up tournament is part of a wider plan by government to qualify the national men's football team, Harambee Stars, for the 2030 World Cup and host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside other East African countries.

“As part of this plan, I have accepted to champion a grassroots football development program that will see the national government work with county governments to invest heavily in youth football,” said President Ruto in his speech during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

“Arrangements are at an advanced stage to launch a Bottom-up football tournament to be contested by under-19 teams from all 47 Counties. We will work with our governors for each County to build a team right from the ward level.

“This is the first step in our Football Vision 2030 where we target to see Harambee Stars play at the 2030 World Cup and Kenya host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Together, let us build Kenyan football Bottom-up, from the grassroots of our villages to the grand stage of the World Cup.”

Further, the Head of State said he will also unveil a payment plan dubbed ‘Talanta Hela’ as a way to monetize the sports and creative industry.

Earlier last month, the former Budalangi Member of Parliament who has served in the capacity before reiterated Kenya Kwanza administration's plans of putting in place programs aimed at nurturing talent in various parts of the country.

He was speaking in the company of Kenya Academy of Sports CEO Dr Doreen Odhiambo while watching an under 19 football game between Isambo Elites and Talanta FC at Moi International Sports centre, Kasarani stadium.

"This game we have watched here is part of the football nurturing program supported by the ministry through the Kenya Academy of Sports.We have rolled out a grassroot plan aimed at spotting and nurturing raw talents through a bottom-up approach model. The Home

Football Rugby Athletics BasketBall VolleyBa Speaking at Nyayo Stadium during the 2022 Jamhuri Day celebrations,the head of state disclosed his admnistration will launch a nationwide Bottom-up Under-19 football tournament starting at ward level in all 47 counties as part of Kenya Kwanza administration's Football Vision 2030.The Bottom-Up tournament is part of a wider plan by government to qualify the national men's football team, Harambee Stars, for the 2030 World Cup and host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside other East African countries.“As part of this plan, I have accepted to champion a grassroots football development program that will see the national government work with county governments to invest heavily in youth football,” said President Ruto in his speech during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.“Arrangements are at an advanced stage to launch a Bottom-up football tournament to be contested by under-19 teams from all 47 Counties. We will work with our governors for each County to build a team right from the ward leve