Brazilian Soccer School Academy launched

By Gilbert Wandera

There was excitement at Huruma Stadium Saturday following the launch of the Brazilian Soccer School Academy.

Former international and Kenyan legend, Joe Kadenge, was one of the distinguished guests who turned up for the launch. The Brazilian Soccer School is headquartered in London with franchise in over 75 countries, bringing together close to three million children. Kenyan international striker, Taiwo Atieno, and Joseph Kinyua own the Kenyan franchise and they intend to roll it out all over the country in the next 10 years.

Lack of structures

Atieno said the launch of the Academy is part of their contribution to the sport and hope to produce national team players after the 10 years.

He said: "The national team does not perform well in international competitions, owing to lack of structures. What we are doing is to build this so that in future, we will have good players who can feature for the national team."

Kinyua said the idea is unique one in the sense that players use smaller size balls and play in a much smaller field.

"This is to ensure that all the players have a chance to get involved in the training and contact with the ball," he explained.

Apart from Huruma, he said they would also launch other centres in Dagoretti, Dandora and Nairobi Primary School.

"Eventually, we want to go throughout the country. This is our contribution to the development of the sport," he said.

He said they would also train coaches as well as donating playing kits to the centres, allowing locals to run the programs even in their absence.

A delighted Kadenge said it is important for the youth to be encouraged to take up football by getting kits.