Nakuru to host National U13 Youth Championship

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will over the weekend hold the first ever National U13 Youth Championship in Nakuru, the national governing body has announced.

The Championship, a culmination of the 2016 FKF U13 leagues played in 43 FKF Sub-Branches attracted a total of 16,789 players, playing for 1,348 clubs.

FKF added the tournament, which will be an annual event going forward, sets the foundation for the formation of the national U13 team that will represent Kenya in international competitions.

The team will participate in an international junior tournament in Southampton, UK, in August with a provisional squad of 34 players set to be named at the conclusion of the championship scheduled to be held at the Nakuru Athletic Club beginning Saturday April 29 to Sunday April 30.

“As a federation, it is our belief that this venture will not only provide the much needed platform to expose our young players to international football but will also aid in their development and the long term success of the sport.

“The initiative, a first in the history of Kenyan football, has also made it possible for the federation to create the much needed player passports, key in not only abating age cheating but also ensuring that clubs benefit from training, solidarity and transfer fees,” part of the communiqué from FKF read.

According to the federation, it has managed to register and create player passports for 18,000 players that participated in the 2016 FKF U13/U15 leagues, with the numbers expected to increase this year, with the roll-out of the 2017 FKF U13/U15 leagues registration.