Spain's success inspires local football teams

Ujuzisika football team players train.[PHOTO:COURTESY]

Spain's dominance in world football is attracting a number of local sides to the country for either tournaments or training camps.

The annual Costa Daurada tournament remains the most popular with Kenyan teams. Since 2009, more than 1,000 players from Kenya have taken part in the event.

It is spearheaded by Ujuzisoka whose founder Paul Olung'ae has convinced schools such as Juja Preparatory and Senior School, Lukenya Academy, Premier Academy, Rusinga Schools, Naisula School, Aga Khan Academy among others to participate.

"Youth tournaments have become quite challenging and now we are changing our approach and going for training camps instead," he said.

Last month, Schools of the Nations attended one such camp in Salou to work on improving their skills and strategy.

"It was an eye opener. We learnt a lot while in Spain and the boys are extremely motivated to take up football," said Tino Chiseka who handles the Schools of the Nations team.

Chiseka is a polished youth coach who has handled various national sides in Kenya before getting his current position.

Elsewhere, Guresport will send their best six youth coaches to carry out training sessions in various schools in the capital.

The coaches are from Spain's most popular clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid and will be in Kenya for 12 days conducting intensive clinics.

The clinics will be held at Juja Preparatory and Senior School situated along the Thika Road just before Juja.

They run from December 8 to 20 and all schools from Nairobi have been invited. They are targeting 500 players.