Hull City scout for Kenyan players
Hull City's Scottish midfielder Robert Snodgrass (right) celebrates with teammates Ahmed Elmohamady (left) and Adama Diomande (centre) after scoring their second goal during their English Premier League match against Leicester City at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on August 13, 2016. PHOTO | LINDSEY PARNABY |
What you need to know:
- Gaming firm SportPesa has unveiled plans to host two coaches from the English Premier League club Hull City in Kenya for a two-week scouting and selection mission ahead of the anticipated football match between a Premier League team and an African side to be played in February, 2017.
- The duo are former Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers coach Richard Naylor and Kris Blakeston, one of the longest serving members of the Hull City Academy staff having worked at the club for eight years now.
- From the January training camp, a squad of 16 players dubbed SportPesa All Stars will be selected to face a Hull City side in the United Kingdom and in a return leg in Kenya.
Gaming firm SportPesa has unveiled plans to host two coaches from the English Premier League club Hull City in Kenya for a two-week scouting and selection mission ahead of the anticipated football match between a Premier League team and an African side to be played in February, 2017.
The duo are former Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers coach Richard Naylor and Kris Blakeston, one of the longest serving members of the Hull City Academy staff having worked at the club for eight years now.
SportPesa on Thursday said the coaches will be in the country from today to November 20 and will, among other activities, attend league, national matches and training sessions to aid them select 50 players from the 16 Kenya Premier League teams that will later head for a training camp in January, 2017.
From the January training camp, a squad of 16 players dubbed SportPesa All Stars will be selected to face a Hull City side in the United Kingdom and in a return leg in Kenya.
The betting firm said that the move is part of its commitment to develop Kenya’s football to global standards and also part of its campaign aimed at having Kenya compete in the World Cup for the first time in 2022.
SportPesa, chief executive officer, Ronald Karauri said that he was thrilled by the prospects. “‘SportPesa All Stars’ will be flying Kenya’s and indeed Africa’s flag when they play Hull City and we are certain that the best players will be selected for the training camp and the squad,” he said.
Among fixtures the Hull City coaches will attend include this Sunday’s all-important match between league leaders Tusker and AFC Leopards in Nakuru, Harambee Stars two friendly matches against Mozambique and Liberia, training sessions with Ulinzi Stars, Muhoroni Youth, Chemilil, Thika United, Ushuru FC, Bandari among others.
“We hope to be fully immersed into Kenya’s football scene during our scouting and selection period, exchange ideas with coaches and players, interact with football fans and select a formidable team to face Hull City,” Richard Naylor, the head professional development coach, said.
