President William Ruto has revealed that his son is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Sports Management so that he can help improve Harambee Stars.
Speaking on Tuesday, April 15, at State House during the flagging off of the U-20 National Team, Ruto said his son is passionate about football and keeps telling him what to do to improve the Kenyan football team.
“I want to tell you my own son is a great fan of football, and he keeps telling me that we have to do something, and so that you know how serious he is, he has gone to do a Master’s in Sports Management because he wants to come and support you.
"This is because the young people of Kenya see potential and opportunity that exists in sports, and especially all the sports including football,” he said.
He, however, did not reveal which of his sons is undertaking the programme.
A Master’s in Sports Management prepares students for leadership roles in the sports industry. Graduates can work in football clubs or national team management, sports event coordination, federations, sports academies, journalism and media, or player representation and agency work.
President Ruto also promised support from the government to the football federation. He said that’s why the government is building a new stadium.
“That is the reason I decided we are going to build a football-only stadium in Nairobi. Of course there will be other sports but it is mainly for football at Jamhuri,” he said.
He added that it’s time to grow football in the country and announced that the new Talanta Stadium in Jamhuri is under construction, 40 years after Kasarani was built.
“It’s time we elevate football to where it should be, and we are building Talanta Stadium here in Jamhuri 40 years after Kasarani was built, and we are not just doing what we are doing in Talanta, but we are also refurbishing Kasarani by putting a canopy.
"We want to raise the standard even in Nyayo Stadium, Kakamega, Kipchoge Keino Stadium, and many others across Kenya,” he added.
Ruto also said the Ministry of Sports is working on building 37 sports academies across the country, with 10 of them already advertised to help support young talent.
