Anthony Baffoe has challenged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to apply for FIFA funding and advised local officials on how Kenya could qualify for the World Cup and African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Ex-Ghanaian footballer was speaking on Wednesday, October 19 at the launch of the Africa Football Business Summit (AFBS) being held in Nairobi.
Baffoe who is a representative from FIFA urged the football stakeholders to create an environment that will enable the future generation to excel in matters football.
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“I urge you to apply for FIFA funding. FIFA cannot fund individual teams because they have to agree with the country’s football federation, in this case, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) needs to pull strings towards identifying and solving issues that disqualify them from receiving the funds,” Baffoe stated.
The 57-year-old asked the federation to emulate their counterparts in athletics in order to grow grass root talent.
He argued that the only way Kenya could achieve its goal of participating in every AFCON tournament was by the federation developing domestic leagues, minimum wages and get players insurance covers to empower and encourage them to play football.
Baffoe noted that he believes in Africanism and hopes to empower the next generation to embrace football on the continent.
He also challenged the active footballers to make sure they work on their educational background.
The media was urged to focus their coverage on local football as it will help market the clubs and make the league attractive to the general public. This, according to Baffoe, will dissuade players from travelling abroad.
The former player suggested that the Kenyan government should create museums and halls of fame that appreciate Kenyan footballers.
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