PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Top Spanish sides want to develop Kenyan football
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Spanish La Liga top teams, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, will partner with the Kenya government to develop football in the country.
Sports Secretary Wilson Langat said Friday the clubs, through their embassy in Nairobi, have expressed interest in revamping the game.
Langat said the government and the clubs were working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing the modalities, after which the deal would be sealed and ready for implementation.
He said the deal with Real Madrid, a former Spanish and UEFA Champions League champions, was at an advanced stage and could be implemented soon.
“We started negotiating with Real Madrid last year and that is why things are at an advanced stage and will be kicking off anytime soon,” he said.
The sports secretary said the Spanish and UEFA Champions League kings, Barcelona, developed interest in Kenyan football this year and hoped the deal would be concluded soon.
He said Madrid was interested in developing youth and senior level football, with Barcelona opting for the senior level only.
Langat disclosed that Sweden was gearing to develop a youth programme targeting players aged below 20.
“We are excited and interested in this kind of partnerships to enhance the falling standard of sports in the country as we pursue other areas,” he said during the launch of the 2011 Orange Mabingwa tournament in Nairobi.
The news came at the heels of similar initiatives, where English Premier League (EPL) clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United, were conducting clinics for coaches and juniors.
Lamgat disclosed that British instructors would be coming to the country before the end of the year, to develop the capacity of coaches in seven disciplines in readiness for the 2012 Olympics that will be hosted in London.
“The Olympic organisers want to ensure that the games are of high quality by being competitive” he said.
Turning to next month’s Football Kenya elections, he said the government would ensure that free and fair elections were held within the timeframe released by Interim Independent Electroral Commission (IIEC).
-0- PANA DJ/BOS 8July2011
Sports Secretary Wilson Langat said Friday the clubs, through their embassy in Nairobi, have expressed interest in revamping the game.
Langat said the government and the clubs were working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing the modalities, after which the deal would be sealed and ready for implementation.
He said the deal with Real Madrid, a former Spanish and UEFA Champions League champions, was at an advanced stage and could be implemented soon.
“We started negotiating with Real Madrid last year and that is why things are at an advanced stage and will be kicking off anytime soon,” he said.
The sports secretary said the Spanish and UEFA Champions League kings, Barcelona, developed interest in Kenyan football this year and hoped the deal would be concluded soon.
He said Madrid was interested in developing youth and senior level football, with Barcelona opting for the senior level only.
Langat disclosed that Sweden was gearing to develop a youth programme targeting players aged below 20.
“We are excited and interested in this kind of partnerships to enhance the falling standard of sports in the country as we pursue other areas,” he said during the launch of the 2011 Orange Mabingwa tournament in Nairobi.
The news came at the heels of similar initiatives, where English Premier League (EPL) clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United, were conducting clinics for coaches and juniors.
Lamgat disclosed that British instructors would be coming to the country before the end of the year, to develop the capacity of coaches in seven disciplines in readiness for the 2012 Olympics that will be hosted in London.
“The Olympic organisers want to ensure that the games are of high quality by being competitive” he said.
Turning to next month’s Football Kenya elections, he said the government would ensure that free and fair elections were held within the timeframe released by Interim Independent Electroral Commission (IIEC).
-0- PANA DJ/BOS 8July2011
