Aim for the World Cup, Kenyatta challenges youngsters

Aim for the World Cup, Kenyatta challenges youngsters

President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged youngsters to use the Fifa World Cup trophy tour experience as a challenge and help Kenya improve its football potential.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi on Monday afternoon when he received the Sh 1 billion worth trophy which is making a world tour across 91 cities to popularise this year’s World Cup finals to be held in Russia from June 14-July 15, Kenyatta said that Kenya still has a chance of playing at the World Cup finals in future.

Kenyatta also pledged to work with the county governments to develop sports in the country.

The President who was flanked by Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Achesa, Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa, senior government officials, and a few of Harambee Stars and Starlets players said that he was grateful to FIFA for choosing Kenya as a stopover for the trophy and urged the players to work extra hard to see the national team participate in the future editions of the football showpiece.

“I am truly delighted by this opportunity being the third time(that the trophy is here), and I hope this shall act as a motivation for upcoming players to want to participate in the World Cup,” Kenyatta said.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Richard Achesa echoed Kenyatta’s sentiments, noting that a time shall come for the country to participate in the football extravaganza.

“A World Cup trophy in the country should act as a good platform for the younger generation to aspire to play in the tournament,” Achesa said.

Mwendwa, on his part, assured football fans that Stars will qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals, urging the Government to support the federation in its efforts.

“It’s good this trophy has toured the country at a time like this, to motivate our players to perform to their level best, and also the government to support us when we call unto them,” Mwendwa said.

This is the third time the trophy is touring the country, the last time being in 2013.

The trophy’s next stop is Mozambique before heading to South Africa and later Uganda.

Tomorrow, football fans will have a chance to interact with the trophy through photo sessions at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

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President Uhuru Kenyatta Nairobi state house tour challenges youngsters FIFA World Cup Trophy IN FUTURE to take Kenya to WORLD cUP

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