Thirty-five coaches drawn from five sub-counties of Kericho County have received their CAF D-level certification after the end of their training course.
Among those who graduated during the course are teachers from both primary and secondary schools in the County who underwent the 10-day course under the tutelage of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) instructor Duncan Omondi and FIFA referee Samuel Langat.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Kiprugut Chumo Stadium.
The list of graduates includes notable names in Kenyan football, such as three players from Zoo Kericho FC, Fredrick Otiso, Bernard Odhiambo, and Brian Asewe; Kericho Rovers FC coach James Ogolla; female referee Drusilla Memo; Division One referees Dennis Kibet, Lasoi Peter, and Collins Rotich; and National Super League (NSL) referee John Kariuki.
Throughout the course, these coaches delved into various subjects, including sports for development, the laws of the game, discipline, and different stages of players as per their ages.
These valuable skills are expected to contribute to an overall improvement in the quality of football in the county when applied within their respective clubs and school teams.
During the closing ceremony, FKF instructor Duncan Omondi emphasised the significance of training more female coaches for the development of football in Kenya.
“From the 35, only five are women; more women ought to take up the sport so that the development of football in Kenya grows,” said Omondi.
Also present was the Chief Officer (CO) in charge of sports, Geoffrey Bett, who said the department was committed to equipping the youth with skills and knowledge to promote and develop grassroots football.
“We have to equip our youth with the skills and knowledge and also do the skills and talent search. Before we harvest the skills, we ought to equip the coaches with the relevant skills so that when we are doing the skills and talent search around the county, we are sure of the kind of skills that we want, so we can get the best from the grassroots,” said Bett.
He urged the 35 coaches to emulate other well-established coaches in the county so as to improve the football skills of their respective teams.
FKF and the county government of Kericho partnered to train the coaches drawn from Ainamoi, Bureti, Londiani, Kipkelion, and Belgut sub-counties.
Among those present were FKF Kericho Chairman Alfred Kirui, CO Education, Culture, Libraries, and Social Services Richard Tonui, County Director of Sports Charles Ng’erechi, Kericho County Ward Administrator Mathews Sang, and Match Commissioner Samuel Chumo.
A participant, Drusilla Memo, a referee who has officiated over 600 matches, as well as a football coach, said the training will assist her in empowering young people to develop their skills and talents in football.
The CAF D coaching course provides a pathway for players to transition to football coaching.
By Sarah Njagi
