The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will train over 300 coaches and referees free of charge from Northern Western branch. Mr. Charles Mukhwana, the branch chairperson, revealed this when he officially opened a football tournament at Mlimani primary school in Mautuma ward, Lugari Sub County.
“The FKF sponsored programme purposes to nurture and improve standards of football among the youth at grassroots in the Western region,” remarked Mukhwana.
The official noted the ambitious projects target to train about 110 tacticians whose clubs are participating district and provincial leagues.
Mukhwana said the short-term objective of the programme was to ensure
football stars who join and play for national clubs, as well as the national team, were well grounded in terms of the game’s skills.
“The federation’s long-term objective is to see our country compete at the same level with Africa’s soccer giants like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, and Egypt alongside other global giants,” said Mukhwana.
According to the official, 32 coaches from Bungoma Sub-branch have undergone the training.
“The federation will roll out a similar programme in November that will involve 30 coaches each in Lugari and Teso sub-branches, in addition to 20 coaches in Mt. Elgon sub-branch,” he added.
Mukhwana noted that once trained the coaches will be expected to spread the acquired skills to football teams in surrounding primary and secondary schools.
He said the branch was presently experiencing a huge shortage of qualified referees, thus the decision to train 200 referees alongside the coaches.
The tournament is sponsored by the branch’s treasurer, Mr. Stanley Ombwaro. A total of 31 teams from Lugari Sub County are participating in the one month tournament.
Panafric FC beat Mshale FC 3 – 1 in the opening match.
