NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 11 – Former Switzerland international midfielder Gelson Fernandes believes Kenya is a sleeping giant in football who can be awakened with right injection of resources and dedication to support young budding players.
The former Manchester City player said he has been impressed by the levels of passion in the country for football and the determination of players, especially children, in becoming the best version of themselves.
“This country is a football country…you have people who are passionate about the game. You have kids that dream about making it a career…you have kids that enjoy playing the game. We want the ball to roll… we want the players to be in the pitch running and enjoying themselves,” Fernandes, who began his playing career at FC Sion at the age of seven, said.
Fernandes, currently Fifa’s director for African member associations, has been in the country since Monday as the head of a high-powered Fifa and Caf delegation, which has met with different stakeholders in the football sector including Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and top officials of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
The visit came less than two months after the world football governing body lifted the suspension it imposed on the country early last year following the disbandment of the Nick Mwendwa-led FKF by then Sports CS Amina Mohamed.
During Kenya’s time out in the football cold, players, referees as well as clubs have suffered and lost out on crucial opportunities at the international stage, such as continental club competitions, 2024 Afcon qualifiers and the Africa Women’s Championships.
Noting the seismic effect of the suspension on Kenyan football, Fernandes reiterated Fifa’s commitment to help Kenya rise from the football ashes and soar once again.
“The federation is back from suspension…back to normality. We came here to assess the situation and see what we can do in the upcoming months and years to help the federation help the kids that play football and make sure that things happen in a good way,” Fernandes, who played at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cup(s), said.
He also noted the important of unity of purpose among the different stakeholders in the industry.
“Our stakeholders are the federation, we try and protect the federations so that they can run football properly, of course, we need to work with the government, it’s a tripartite engagement. It was a good mission, now we get back to work,” the Cape Verde-born said.
Other members of the delegation included: Nodar Akhalkatsi (Director of Strategic Projects & MA Governance), Solomon Mudege, (Head of Development Programs), Alessandro Gramalgia (Strategic Development Manager), and Sarah Solemale Senior (MA Governance Manager).
Naddim Magdy Legal counsel at CAF was also a part of the delegation.
