A local football club, Green Commandos has partnered with international football clubs to scout and nurture talents among upcoming footballers in Kakamega.
The Latest partner who has expressed interest to support nurturing of talents with the clubs is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Atoto Sports, Jamal Ibrahim.
Ibrahim joined another partner from Sweden Stig Marius to scout for talented youngsters in Kakamega through the Green Commandos football club.
The two, together with the Management of Green Commandos also surveyed football facilities in Kakamega where they intend to put up a stadium to attract youth with skills.
Atoto Sports has been supporting football skill development of Kenyan International Football players Erick Marcelo Ouma and Henry Mejja Atola.
The two play for top tier side International Football Club known as AIK based in Sweden.
Last December, Green Commandos entered a partnership with an Italian Football Club Hellas Verona (FC) which plays in Serie A and Coppa Italia to support talented footballers in Kakamega.
Hellas Verona Football Club pledged to provide opportunities for trials, scouting and exposure to young talented football players from Kakamega County.
The Club will also provide technical support for both players and coaches in selected football clubs in the county.
In the Current 2021-2022 Serie A standing, Hellas Verona FC is in position 9 with 36 points having played 5 matches, won 3, lost 1 and drew in one match.
In December last Year, Green Commandos Sports club led by Chairman Isaac Kwoba introduced an Italian Tactician Stefano Cortesi Commandant to scout for talent as well as offer technical and coaching support to the club and community as well.
“Stefano Cortesi Commandante, is a global scout in Europe and Scandinavian countries and will help identify talent opportunities for our youth for trials outside the country,” said Kwoba.
Apart from the partnership with Hellas Verona, Green Commandos also signed a partnership with Lowa Wesleyan University of the USA.
According to Mr. Kwoba, Lowa Wesleyan University came on board to support young players from the age of 8 to 19 who have a passion for playing football with an aim of honing their skills as well as offering them education.
Green Commandos managers are former students of Kakamega High who have come up with the initiative to support those who have talent but lack finances to progress as a way of improving lives in local communities of Kakamega through sporting activities.
Kwoba also said they will pay school fees for students who join Kakamega high school who come from poor families to enable them to learn uninterrupted as they continue to nurture their skills.
So far, through their own contributions, the old boys have used Sh 3.2 million to support students at Kakamega High school. So far they are supporting 30 students by paying their school fees.
He said they have also supported players from the school to join university after performing well in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. He said the move has changed the mindset where those who play football were seen as failures.
During the 18th edition of Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) held in Kakamega on Tuesday this week, Founder of the awards Paul Tergat who is also National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Chairman asked all partners in sports to create an enabling environment for sports persons to excel in their various fields.
The Soya Awards Gala is an important event in Kenya that is aimed at promoting sports through recognition of sportsmen and women who attend sports events locally, regionally in various disciplines.
“Through these awards and recognition, many young people are encouraged to fully exploit their potential to transform their lives,” he noted.
To support sporting activities further, the chairman of the Panel of Judges of the Soya Awards Chris Mbaisi said that the government has assured the sports fraternity of support in preparation for the Birmingham 2022 commonwealth games and the African Youth games.
“It is now upon the various federations and sports associations in the country to ensure their teams are ready to fly the country flag abroad,” he pointed out.
By Moses Wekesa
