Junior stars awarded Ksh.1.8 million for 2025 AFCON qualification

Nairobi, 

Tuesday, 22 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Kenya's U-20 men's national football team, Junior stars have been awarded Ksh.1.8 million for their Sucessful qualification to the 2025 AFCON competitions. 

Junior Starts were heroically received back into their country after a gallant performance in the CECAFA U-20 junior championships in Tanzania, where they emerged runners up following a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in the finals played on Sunday. 

Sports, culture and Youth Affairs CS Kipchumba Murkomen who hosted the team, hailed them for their brilliant performance noting that the star is still bring and alot more will come out from the boys in the future. 

"To celebrate their exemplary performance, the team has been awarded KSh1.8 million in line with our reward and recognition agenda. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the players, coach, FKF, technical staff, and fans for this outstanding achievement.AFCON 2025, here we come!"Murkomen said in a statement. 

The CS noted that early talent identification and development are crucial for athletes to gain the edge they need to succeed especially in an increasingly competitive sports environment. 

Six of the players in the juniors stars squad hail from the national U-13, U-15, and U-17 teams.

CS Murkomen assured that the national teams are now fully financially supported by the government for both regional and international competitions unlike the past where financial constraints and misappropriations affected the teams negatively in terms of overall performance. 

Murkomen noted that previous issues surrounding logistical and travel challanges facing the national teams have now been managed ensuring that the teams now solely focus on performance. 

Junior Starlets will not rest until they succeed as they will commence their Preparations for AFCON 2025 immediately, including extended training camps, both locally and abroad, and friendlies with top-tier teams. 

CS Murkomen expressed optimism that the National team can go as far as participating in the World cup following the footsteps of Junior starlets who are the first national football team to participate in the World cup tournament, where they are almost in their third match at the 2024 U-20 Women's world cup in the Dominican Republic. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry has embarked on a broader agenda by enhancing talent identification through technology, which includes precise data collection to pitch players to international academies. 

The Ministry says that the rollout of 30 initial sports academies across the country is underway, with a goal to establish academies in all 290 constituencies.