FKF, UK-based firm launch talent search plan

Football Kenya Federation has entered into a partnership with a UK-based private firm MPD Academies that will see the latter roll out an ambitious talent development programme in Kenya.

Dubbed ‘The search for Kenya’s next generation of footballers’, the exercise will be rolled out across the country and is open to any talented youngster between the ages of 11 and 16.

Briefing reporters during the launch of the partnership yesterday, MPD Academies chairman Terry O’Neill said that the academy will only recruit and hone exceptional talents.

“We are here on the long haul,” he said when asked on the duration of the partnership. “We want to see that talented players climb the ranks to the national team.”

FKF boss Sam Nyamweya said: “I’m confident that the experience of MPD Academies based on the English football academies model will go a long way in helping us grow football talent for tomorrow’s national team.”

Besides receiving coaching skills, the players will also access scholarship in partnership with a yet to be identified Kenyan learning institution.