President William Ruto announced on Monday, December 12, 2022, during the Jamhuri Day celebrations that the government is in the advanced stage to launch the Bottom Up Football tournament.
Ruto stated that his administration recognized the potential that sports have to grow the country's economy.
He also talked about the Talenta Hela project that is expected to help Kenyan sports persons benefit from their expertise.
“On sports, my administration recognizes sports and the arts as a major industry that can employ millions of youths and help grow our economy.
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“This is why we have moved with speed to get our football back, to protect Kenya’s proud athletes' pedigree from doping and to streamline the collection and distribution of royalties from our artists.
“I will champion a grassroots football development program that will see the national government work with county governments to invest heavily in youth football.
“Arrangements are at an advanced stage to launch a bottom-up football tournament to be contested by under 19 teams from all the 47 counties,” he explained.
The head of state added that he would work with the county governments to ensure the national team, Harambee Stars, features at the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup.
“We will work with our county governors for each county to build a team right from the ward level. This is the first step in our football vision 2030 where we will target our Harambee Stars to play at the 2030 world cup and Kenya to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations,” stated Ruto.
The former Volleyball player also urged Kenyans to work together to make the country qualify for the global showpiece.
In his closing remarks, Ruto made a proposal to the ministry of sports, under the leadership of Ababu Namwamba, to hold the finals of the under 19 intercounty football tournament annually during the Jamhuri day festivities.
“I suggest to the ministry that the finals of these inter-county teams should be held on Jamhuri day every year so that we can celebrate the teams from across Kenya,” he ended.
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