MP roots for scouting of football talents at the grassroots level

Mombasa

Friday, August 25, 2023

KNA by Sadik Hassan

Jomvu Member of Parliament Mr. Badi Twalib has exhorted the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts to increase sports funding and to scout for talents at the grassroots.

Twalib asked the Ministry of Sports to put in place an elaborate mechanism to support sports academies at the grassroots to nurture the talents and for consistency until the youth actualize their dreams.

He said aid there are many untapped talents in the grassroots and sports officials should shun boardroom selection of players.

“We must move out of offices and tap talents to build a strong national team,” he said.

Twalib said this when he hosted the under-17 finalists of the first edition of the Kuza Talanta tournament cup held at the Burhani Sports Club in the Mvita sub-county.

Gunners Soccer Academy from Jomvu constituency was the champion, while A3T Soccer Academy from Embakasi Central constituency was the runners-up.

“The mistake that we are making is we pump a lot of money on tournaments after the end of the tournament the players go back to the streets. We must set aside funds to run the academies,” explained Twalib.

The MP said the increase in sports funding will enable MPs to cater for expenses being incurred by teams. He hailed coaches of Gunners and A3T soccer clubs for instilling discipline in young players.

The MP further decried that coaches have been neglected, yet it’s a profession like any other. He called on the government to support them “because they nurture talents, protect players from indulging in drug abuse, and keep them away from mental health disorders. They are third parents of our children.”

Gunners players were promised by their MP a trip to Nairobi to get exposure by playing with more experienced teams. 

“Exposure is the most important thing in life it's imperative for our youth to exchange programs with A3T soccer academy. I will organize a friendly match with the team in Nairobi to build a friendship,” Twalib said.

Amid applause from the players, the MP announced sponsorship of a needy player from his constituency who is set to join a university in September but lacks fees. The talented player approached the MP when he went to watch the tournament. 

This year’s annual sports event in Jomvu constituency will include basketball tournaments apart from boat racing, netball, football, and rugby.

The team managers, Mark Alukwe and Salim Said for A3T and Gunner sports academies respectively extolled the legislator for the support he gave them. 

Courtesy ; K. N. A