FKF technical boss Spires thrilled with coaching programme

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Technical Director, Andre Spires is upbeat on the progress of his grassroots reforms four months after being appointed to the role.

The German who is based at the federation’s FIFA Goal Project headquarters in Kasarani has rolled out a training programme for coaches that targets 2000 individuals across the country.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Spires underscored the programme is in line with his priorities at the short term as he strives to establish feeder structures at youth level in football.

“Our first job of my technical office was taking care of the national Under-17 team, now we are in our second project of training coaches.

“We kicked off last week in Kikuyu and Thika where we had very successful sessions. Right now I am in Nakuru with part of the technical team while Michael Amenga is leading other instructors in other parts of the country,” Spires told.

He was pleased with the enthusiasm witnessed by the coaches attending the coaching training courses conducted by over 40 local instructors under his tutelage, emphasising the need of basic coaching skills at the grassroots.

“At the end of every training week, we are evaluating them. We are happy the participants have been very positive to our lectures.

“It is a huge project and we are trying our best to increase the capacity our coaches in the grassroots which is the future of our football,” the Romania-born tactician offered.

The training programme began on September 26 and will be rolled out for the next eight weeks in all 20 FKF branches countrywide.

“The venture is part of the federation’s national coaching course rollout program that aims to train over 2000 coaches from all over the country, at the Basic-Advanced level, in the next four years,” FKF CEO Robert Muthomi said in a statement.

“The aim is to not only develop grassroots football but also build capacity by establishing a football master plan that will guarantee long term success of the sport and provide a clear road map that will shape the future of Kenyan football going forward,” added the CEO.

According to Spires, the training is mostly targeting former players with interest in football and teachers in schools with established football culture among others.

“For former players it’s easier because they went through the basics from their coaches when playing for their clubs but with some teachers, we have to go deeper. If we can have teachers giving pupils the right coaching from primary school level then it will be easier to develop such players in the later stages,” he added.

His first task following his appointment was to name and coach the national Under 17 side, which he says has a long way to go to reach his target.

Spires has revealed the side will play at least three matches before the CECAFA tournament later this year in Uganda.

“We have a lot of work to do with the team, besides CECAFA we have another tournament in Spain which we have to prepare for. I will be with them, and try to get the best out of them.”

Meanwhile, Spires has hailed the Harambee Stars for the recent resurgence under Stanley Okumbi, challenging the technical bench not to rest on their laurels.

“I am happy for them; even the Harambee Starlets is doing well although our target is quite high. We are not yet there. I have kept contacts with the coaches advising them although I don’t interfere with their duties directly,” he concluded.