The Football Kenya Federation’s CEO, Barry Otieno, has expressed excitement about the return of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba youth tournament, saying that it will provide an opportunity to discover more talented young footballers.
The tournament, which caters to players aged between 16-20 years, had been suspended for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Kenya’s ban by Fifa.
According to Otieno, the tournament has helped unearth many football gems, some of whom are currently performing well in the Kenyan Premier League and overseas.
Notably, Gor Mahia’s Benson Omalla, who is currently the top scorer in the KPL, first rose to prominence at the Chapa Dimba tournament.
Registration for the tournament is now open, and 150 students are expected to be awarded scholarships. Additionally, the two best players, one male and one female, will have the chance to join clubs in Spain.
“We are delighted with what Safaricom has done and continues to do. Our goal is to have as many players as possible playing at the top levels in Europe, Asia, and the United Arab Emirates,” Otieno said.
Through the Chapa Dimba tournament, Otieno hopes to identify young players who can play for Harambee Stars in the future.
The two players selected to join Spanish clubs will also have the opportunity to participate in under-21 competitions and possibly represent the national team.
