FIFA Director for Member Associations Africa Gelson Fernandes has said Kenya has the potential to become an African football success story.
“Kenya is a football country. There is a strong passion for the game, you have kids dreaming about making a career in football, boys and girls who enjoy playing football. It will take energy and investment to get where we want to be but we will make it,” he said.
Fernandes, who is a part of a joint FIFA/CAF delegation on a visit to Kenya, said the mission was an important step for the future of Kenya.
“The Federation is back from suspension. We have come to assess the situation and to see what we can do in the coming months to help the federation develop football, to develop young players, and bring the joy of football back to Kenya,” he explained.
After meeting Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on Monday, the delegation met with FKF President Nick Mwendwa and the National Executive Committee on Tuesday.
They also visited the ongoing CAF B Coaching Course at the Kenya Institute of Special Education.
“Our stakeholders are the Federation, we try to protect the federations so that they can run football properly, of course, we need to work with the government, it’s a tripartite engagement. It was a good mission, now we get back to work,” he said.
Apart from Fernandes, the FIFA delegation comprises Nodar Akhalkatsi, Director of Strategic Projects & MA Governance, Solomon Mudege, Head of Development Programs, Alessandro Gramalgia Strategic Development Manager, and Sarah Solemale Senior MA Governance Manager. Naddim Magdy Legal counsel at CAF is also a part of the delegation.
The delegation wrapped up their visit on Tuesday evening.
By Hamdi Mohamud
