CS Ababu pledges to elevate Kisumu's Manyatta Youth Resource Centre

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba, has pledged to elevate the Manyatta Youth Resource Center in Kisumu to a major sports academy as part of a broader initiative aimed at cultivating talent for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In day two of CECAFA U-18 Boys’ Championship in Kisumu, the CS visited the centre, donating Sh. 100,000 as he also announced expected upgrades for the facility.

Speaking during the visit Ababu reiterated that the centre was a perfect example of what the ministry wishes to undertake by growing sports from the grassroots.

“Your programs compliment and align seamlessly with our Talanta Hela initiative that is revolutionizing this critical space of sports and talent development immensely.

"Let us all maintain the focus and continue unleashing a multi-fold of next-generation super-stars,” said Ababu.

The Manyatta Youth Resource Centre, located in Kondele, has already contributed to the development of notable talents in Kenyan football including Gor Mahia duo of Benson Omalla and Ronny Onyango, and Luis Ingavi - who scored a brace in Kenya's 5-0victory over Sudan in the CECAFA U-18 Championship on Saturday.

The announcement comes on the back of Ababu's proclamation to develop a talent tracking system within the country during the flagging off of the CECAFA U-18 Championship.

CS Ababu on the same breath noted that it his desire to see some of the Junior Stars players integrated into the senior team Harambe Stars ahead of AFCON 2027, a prerogative of the head coach.

Ababu was also on a fact-finding mission at the Obwolo Grounds in Kajulu, where he assured that his Ministry would upgrade the grounds in accordance with the Sports and Creative Arts Infrastructure master plan.