Kenya’s giant mobile phone company Safaricom Limited has made a grand entry back into the beautiful game with a multi million sponsorship deal aimed at identifying raw talent from the grassroots across the country.

The partnership with “MPD Next Generation” worth Kshs 50 million was today (Thursday) officially unveiled at a colorful ceremony in a Nairobi Hotel. It will see 75 top talents both boys and girls between the ages of 11-16 fished out across Kenya and natured in football skills – they will then be given full football scholarship.

Speaking during the ceremony, MPD Next Generation representative Terry Oneil, said they chose Kenya because there is a lot of untapped talent in the country.

“MPD Next Generation was born 21 years ago, over two decades later, young footballers from all corners of the world travel our projects. Kenya has a lot of unfound talent that has not been given a pathway, we will bring UEFA coaches to tap the talent,” Terry said.

On Safaricom’s part, Joe Ogutu said the company has been in the frontline when it comes to promoting sports talent locally and they were proud to be part of this new exciting venture. “Safaricom has a long standing tradition of supporting sports in Kenya. “ he said.

Kenya’s Minister for sports Dr Hassan Wario thanked Safaricom for the partnership, “I’m grateful to Safaricom for putting their hearts and Money into sports. Kenya has so much talent that “Next Generation” will have a challenge narrowing down to 75.”

If you know any 11-16 year olds with exceptional football talent,pass the ball, let them score. Log into mpdnextgeneration.com and register them.

Safaricom sponsored “Sakata ball” ended abruptly in 2012 due to a disagreement with Kenyan FA.

@bonfaceosano