I was privileged to set my eyes on the current roster of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s basketball team and I must admit it made me happy and sad at the same time.
While the team is made up of young bubbly talent ready to conquer, I noted that the same players have been going hungry since coronavirus pandemic was reported in Kenya.
The list that was presented to Kenya Basketball Federation had youthful but very talented players who have won accolades ranging from regional school titles, university games and the Fiba Zonal Championships.
With an average age of 23, this is in line with KPA’s policy on investment in the youth.
The sad thing however is that while these young men and women have brought so much glory to KPA, marketing the company abroad during international assignment annually, the players literally depend on game allowances for survival, making KPA basketball and volleyball teams very vulnerable during the pandemic.
The million-dollar question is, what is KPA doing to cushion these players whose visibility is unmatched by even Bandari FC who are, however, on contract and receive their monthly salaries without delay?
The global interest and increased competitiveness of the sport has led to elite clubs scouting for players with the potential to become the best. Good players are not created overnight.
Identification of sports talent aims to notice, capture, select and promote the athlete who has the skills and competencies and thus the potential to ensure, as far as possible, the achievement of competitive success.
Talent needs to be identified at a young age so that it can be properly nurtured to develop top players.
This is an area KPA women’s basketball team has done exemplary well in, most of their star players having been identified and nurtured at a tender age, mostly from secondary school level, something that Bandari FC with whom they share a sponsor should emulate.
Incorporating youthful players in the team will help Bandari develop them over time to become stars and form the bedrock of the club.
Young players are a good investment that a club can cash in on once they have matured, giving others a chance to thrive.
In England for example, under the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan, the League and its clubs have invested more than £800 million since 2012 in youth development, enhancing facilities and increasing the number and quality of coaches which goes a long way in creating a huge pool of talent that helps the club grow.
I could go on. Bandari should emulate the women’s basketball team and invest in the youth.
