Former Harambee Stars striker Taiwo Atieno has raised concerns over Kenya’s approach to talent development in football, highlighting that the current system, which largely depends on school games and corporate-backed tournaments, is not sufficient to nurture professional players. According to Atieno, while these events help identify emerging talent, they do little to develop players into professionals capable of competing in top leagues and boosting the national team.
Atieno, who had a successful career playing for clubs such as Rochdale, Chester City, Rochester Rhinos, and Luton Town, believes that the focus should shift from merely discovering talent to creating systems that foster long-term development. He argues that Kenya’s approach to football talent is akin to a “mining” process where the goal is to unearth gems rather than to build a sustainable infrastructure for professional football growth. While talent may rise to the top in these settings, Atieno contends that this is not enough to produce players who can consistently perform at the highest levels.
The former striker points out that successful players like Denis Oliech and Victor Wanyama are exceptions, and the reliance on school competitions and corporate tournaments has not been enough to consistently produce top-tier players. Atieno stresses that while these events have sometimes uncovered talent, they do not provide the necessary environment for players to evolve into professionals who can compete internationally.
One of the key issues Atieno identifies is the lack of professional football philosophies, coaches, and facilities in Kenya. He argues that for the country to improve its football development, there must be a long-term investment in professional football clubs that are structured to nurture talent. These clubs would need to be equipped with the expertise and resources required to develop players over time, which is something that is currently missing in Kenya. Atieno criticizes initiatives like Talanta Hela, which has been heavily backed by the Ministry of Sports, stating that such programs cannot sustain themselves or create a consistent pipeline for talent development. He believes that while these initiatives may help uncover some talent, they are not designed to provide the necessary infrastructure for long-term growth.
Developing football talent, according to Atieno, is an expensive process that requires genuine expertise. He highlights the importance of having professional coaches who understand the intricacies of the game and are capable of developing players to their full potential. However, this kind of expertise is currently lacking within both the government and corporate sponsors, who are often involved in organizing tournaments and programs but do not provide the necessary support for ongoing development.
Atieno’s concerns are shared by many who believe that Kenya’s football development structures are inadequate. Despite the existence of various tournaments and school competitions that have occasionally unearthed talent, the country continues to struggle in producing professional players who can compete at the highest levels. The lack of a comprehensive and sustainable system for nurturing talent has left many young players without the resources and guidance they need to succeed.
To address these issues, Atieno advocates for a shift in focus towards creating professional football clubs that can provide a structured pathway for players. These clubs would need to invest in coaching, facilities, and long-term development plans to ensure that young talent is nurtured and given the opportunity to reach their full potential. Without this kind of investment and commitment, Atieno fears that Kenya may continue to miss out on producing world-class footballers who can elevate the national team to greater heights.
