Hull City coaches call for better KPL youth structures

The visiting Hull City coaching duo of Richard Naylor and Kris Blakeston have urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to tap into English football philosophies and training methods of the globally endeared English Premier League.

While applauding the country’s passion for football which he likens to that in England, Naylor – the Head Professional development coach at Hull – has noted that there is a distinctly broken link between young aspiring footballers and the eventual KPL player.

The two coaches are scouting on the best KPL talent who will be selected to for a training camp with elite coaches at the KCOM Stadium, East Riding of Yorkshire in England with the top 50 players set to be announced in a fortnight.

“The KPL is a small can hardly compare against the top leagues in the world but hopefully within time it can be built and grow and it can get the same structures we have in place in England with regards to youth development. The pathway from being a young kid to being a Premier League player needs to be improved and I know that speaking to the federation that’s something they’re looking to do; introducing youth sides to all KPL clubs so everyone one and offered enough competition.

“The all-star KPL team will play a representative game against Hull City at the KCOM Stadium and then the later on the Hull City players will come over here. It’s a great opportunity for younger talent in the KPL and a chance for the best players to represent the country in more ways than play for the national team,” Naylor told Citizen Digital.

The two watched the national team win its international friendly matches against Mozambique and Liberia, and expressed their optimism in the potential of the Harambee Stars but could reap more rewards should an elaborate youth set-up be put in place.

“We’re going to pick an initial team of about 40-50 players and then we’ll go to a training camp which will be taken by Hull City coaches. The camp will last for two weeks and then from there we’ll select the 16 best that will come across to the UK.

“The aim is to raise the profile of Kenyan football and show that the KPL is a good league. A lot of Kenyan fans watch the English Premier League, you know they love English football and it would be nice to have that sort of atmosphere here as well. It would be nice to see the KPL attract big crowds and generate the same kind of interest,” the former Leeds United Under-18 manager added.