The national government has announced plans to roll out a grassroots football tournament. President William Ruto said the Bottom-Up Football Tournament is part of his administration’s grand plan to rebuild and monetize sports and creative arts.
Speaking during the 2022 Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, the Head of State said the tournament will be unveiled soon.
“As part of this plan, I will champion a grassroots football development program that will see the national government work with county governments to invest heavily in youths football,” Ruto said.
“Arrangements are at an advanced stage to launch a bottom-up football tournament to be contested by under 19 teams from all 47 counties,” he added.
The President said this is the first step for the government’s football vision 2030 which targets to see Kenya’s national football team – Harambe Stars play at the 2030 World Cup.
Kenya bid to host 2027 AFCON
Already the Cabinet has also approved Kenya to bid for the hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Africa Cup of Nations referred to as AFCON, and sometimes as African Cup of Nations, is the main international men’s association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football and was first held in 1957. No East African County has ever hosted the event.
Further, with the planned launch of the Bottom-Up Football Tournament, Ruto has suggested that the finals for the competition be held on Jamhuri Day every year to celebrate the teams from the country.
“Together, let us build Kenyan football from the grassroots, over our villages to the grand stage of the World Cup,” the President said.
Ruto also noted that his government recognizes sports and arts as a major industry that can employ millions of Kenyans and help grow the economy.
This is the reason he noted his administration moved with speed to restore Kenyan football after a ban by FIFA as well as ongoing efforts to address dopping and royalty payment to artists.
