By Jack Ohito, DevReporter, Siaya County
Highlights
- Under SDG 8, which advocates for decent work and economic growth, sports create opportunities for athletes, referees, and team staff.
- Despite investing personal resources, article 55 on Sports and Youth Empowerment is often ignored.
- Injuries often end promising careers, as in the case of Melinda Akoth.
“We really appreciate leaders who keep youth busy during December holidays through tournaments. However, come January, everything goes back to normal. The clubs you see here exist only for these tournaments. I wish they could help us form a stronger team to compete in the league,” says Mr Emmanuel Otieno, head coach of Siaya Rangers.
Talents on the Sidelines.
Sports serve as an equal employer, creating jobs for referees, doctors, athletes, and footballers. Mr Otieno stresses that involving scouts in these tournaments can help identify the best talent, allowing successful players to join established clubs, and also improve economically. He notes that this approach can maximise on the value of the newly built stadium for Siaya residents.
Mr Samuel Otieno, owner of Siaya Red Berets, laments the lack of support for talent development. Despite using personal resources, he says, article 55 on Sports and Youth Empowerment, which mandates government measures to promote youth participation in sports, is largely ignored.
“We do not have training uniforms, proper shoes, and our ball is very old,” he explains.
From Hope to Silence
Brian Ayoro, a former national ball games player, points to parental indifference and political exploitation as major challenges.
“Parents want exams first, and political actors use talent for mileage. Leaders competed to hire me, but my talent faded without support,” he recalls.
Melinda Akoth shares a similar experience.
“I was hired for just KSh 2,000. When I got injured, my career ended. No one returned my calls, and my mother bore all the burden,” she says.
Call to Action
Mr Denis Ochieng, a member of the county planning committee for these tournaments, told RBNews that scouting is usually done quietly to ensure clubs identify the best talent. He noted that football requires both discipline and skill.
“For you to organise an event you must part with Kshs. 50,000 payable to the FKF, provide the dates of the tournament and register the clubs that will participate,” Explains Mr. Ochieng.
He added that organising a tournament is not easy, as it requires proper planning, adequate finances, and the willingness by clubs to participate. However, he expressed concern that some people are turning such initiatives into profit-making ventures, rather than focusing on talent development.
Also, in a letter dated 15th December 2025, RBNews established that FIFA had lifted financial sanctions on FKF. This means that development funding will be made available, giving room for the resumption of FIFA Forward funding to support FKF’s on-going programmes aimed at grassroots development, infrastructure, capacity building, and the overall growth of football across the country.
