NAIROBI— The Kenyan Government has revealed it will work closely with the republic of Argentina in a bid to help improve the football standards in the East African nation.
Speaking while hosting Argentinian Ambassador to Kenya Gabriela Martinic, Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr Amina Mohamed said she will work with the South American soccer heavyweights to help Kenya realise its dream of playing the game at the big stage.
“One of the critical ways of marketing Kenya globally is through Sports. I had fruitful engagement with my counterpart from Argentina which is currently ranked the fourth best overally by FIFA in the latest football rankings. We exchanged ideas on how we can partner through exchange programmes that would help us learn one or two things from each other in a bid to help us grow our game locally.Besides football, they are also known for rugby and tennis which are equally our key interest areas” she said
The Argentineans have won the Fifa World Cup twice: in 1978 against The Netherlands and in 1986 against West Germany.
In the world football, the names of the late Diego Armando Maradona and Paris-Saint Germain forward Lionel Messi stand out while in tennis, Gabriela Sabatini won several Grand Slam tournaments and has previously reached world number two.
“Diego Maradona inculcated the love of soccer in millions of people across the globe, turning the game into almost some kind of religion. He inspired the youth on to the pitch.We are putting our house in order and in not too long,Kenya will be up there and hopefully we’ll invite them or fly to Buenos Aires for a friendly match I understood they qualified for Qatar World Cup and playing us can be one of their preparation mechanisms ” added the CS
A third World Cup trophy for Albiceleste and a first for Messi would make for a memorable World Cup as the national idol attempts to match the feat of another Argentine icon, Maradona, who carried the team in their last World Cup triumph back in 1986.
After winning the 2021 Copa America and going undefeated in World Cup qualifying campaign, Lionel Scaloni charges will be hoping to go past Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia in Group C of the coveted World football extravaganza.
Harambee Stars on the hand has been pooled in Group C of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers despite facing indefinite suspension from world football governing body FIFA over government interference with soccer activities in the country.
Kenya will face five-time winners Cameroon, East Africa compatriots Burundi and Namibia.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK