A group of Kenya’s most promising young football players will depart for Spain this weekend for an intensive international camp designed to develop their skills, expand their exposure to elite football environments, and connect them with potential professional pathways.
Safaricom, which runs the nationwide Chapa Dimba youth tournament, said the All-Stars team of 25 players, 13 boys and 12 girls, was drawn from standout performers scouted across the country during the competition’s fourth season.
The delegation will leave Nairobi on Saturday evening, September 6, for Huesca, where they will train for a week at the Base Aragonesa de Fútbol, S.D. Huesca’s modern sports city, participate in masterclasses with professional players, and attend a Segunda Division match between SD Huesca and Málaga CF as part of a broad cultural and sporting programme.
In total, 32 players were originally selected for the All-Star squad, and while only 25 will travel to Spain, others have already secured professional opportunities through call-ups to national and international clubs, a measure of the tournament’s growing role in creating pathways for local talent.
Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom PLC, said the camp reflects the company’s commitment to widening opportunities for young Kenyans through structured youth development initiatives.
“Chapa Dimba has always been about opening doors of opportunity for Kenyan youth, and today we are proud to see that vision come alive in an even bigger way,” said Ndegwa, explaining that several players, such as Austin Odongo, Emily Moranga, and Khamis Nyale, have already advanced to professional clubs while others prepare to sharpen their skills in Spain.
He added that empowering young athletes and showcasing Kenyan football talent internationally remain central objectives of the programme.
The All-Stars team will be captained by Stanley Waswa of Ndura Sports Academy for the boys’ side and Manda Sunira Were of Highland Royals Moi Girls for the girls’ side, supported by coaches Chrispine Odindo of Plateau Queens and Evans Oketch of Obunga FC, as well as Football Kenya Federation representatives.
Player Swaumu Masungo described the opportunity as life-changing, saying, “Visiting Spain and experiencing world-class football has always been a dream, and now it is becoming a reality.
I am determined to make the most of this opportunity, learn as much as possible, and use the lessons to grow my football career.”
The camp will expose the players to competitive fixtures against Huesca’s Youth Academy, tactical training sessions led by experienced coaches, and off-pitch experiences such as sightseeing and city tours, which organisers say will broaden the players’ perspectives and build teamwork.
The combination of elite coaching, cultural exchange, and professional match attendance is intended to give these young athletes a sense of the standards required to progress in professional football while strengthening their commitment to local development pathways.
Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba initiative has become a central part of Kenya’s grassroots sports ecosystem, with past editions producing players who have gone on to feature in top domestic leagues and international clubs.
By facilitating this international exposure, the programme seeks not only to elevate individual careers but also to contribute to the long-term growth of Kenyan football, offering both economic and social dividends through sport-driven youth empowerment.
The trip to Spain represents a tangible step toward linking Kenya’s grassroots talent with global football networks, reinforcing the tournament’s place as a platform for discovery and development across the country’s sporting landscape.
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