Ubunifu Sports Academy has been launched in Barut, Nakuru West towards nurturing sports talents at grassroot level.
The Academy has been established through Financial support from Football Friends International via American Friends of Kenya.
The launch of the Academy comes after a two-days tournament that was used as a platform to identify talents.
The tournament took place on Saturday 20, and culminated to finals on Sunday 21 at Barut Primary School just some few metres from Barut Centre.
At least 10 schools took part in the tournament that was fully attended by locals.
In the finals, Barut Primary (Boys) beat Live and Learn Boys 2-0 while Tumaini Girls beat Hopewell Secondary 2-0.
Tumaini Secondary (Boys) team also won after beating Hopewell 3-0.
Under the initiative, a team of panelists identify best players from teams representing Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary schools in Barut.
The selected players will then join the Academy as first beneficiaries.
Joab Okello is the Co-founder Ubunifu Learning Hub that has now given birth to the Ubunifu Sports Academy in Barut.
Addressing press on Sunday 21, 2024 at Barut Primary, Joab revealed that talent search will be an annual event.
He added that he has brought on board individuals with prowess in matters sports who will be volunteering every weekend to offer training to the selected talents.
“This will be an annual event. I being not a footballer, I decided to bring on board locals who have knowledge in football and they will now help us on matters training,” he said.
Though started with football, Joab notes that in future the focus shall also be on other sports due to the demand from locals.
Already items such as balls, uniforms and boots among others have been purchased ready for the training kick off.
According to Joab, training shall be on weekends for the sake of school calendar, but when schools close then a tournament shall be held.
While pointing out the need to nurture talents at grassroot, Joab who is also an Alumni of Hopewell Secondary school in Barut pointed out that talent and discipline are key in transformation of society.
“We look forward to sponsor these young talents so that they can change the story of Barut,” he stated.
On his part Wilson Awilo- a former player and now serving Referee with Kenya Premier League, lauds the initiative saying it will go a long way in nurturing talents among under 15, and under 18.
He lauded Joab and partners for deciding to set up the Academy, adding that the Academy will help bridge the gap that has been there when it comes to identifying talents at grassroot.
Awilo used the moment to urge parents to support the initiative that apart from nurturing talents, will also keep young people busy rather than engaging in criminal activities.
“These children will now have a platform where they can learn football skills.We pray and believe that the second edition for talent search shall be even greater than this,” he said.
Sentiments echoed by Dominic Kimutai who is a referee and a coach.
He says, their focus is nurturing talents that will see some young talents make it to national and even international teams.
During the event, all teams were awarded with best teams making away with trophies and monetary rewards.
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.