Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has called on Kenyans to show solidarity and come out in numbers to support the National Football Women’s team, the Harambee Starlets in their Women’s AFCON Qualifiers second leg match against Cameroon at the Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday, September 26.
Namwamba was Speaking while in the United States for his inaugural meeting of the Generational Unlimited (GenU) Global Leadership Council.
“You did great super girls. On Tuesday September 26 all Kenyans let’s come out and cheer our Harambee Starlets to victory against Cameroon,” Namwamba stated.
The Starlets trail on a 1-0 deficit against the West African side and will be looking to make a comeback if they are to qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament to be held in Morocco in 2024.
Moreover, the comeback, according to the former Budalangi MP, is very surmountable.
President Ruto and CS Namwamba Sign Hollywood and NBA deals
Namwamba’s attendance in the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council meeting in New York has been of great significance.
Kenya has taken a giant leap forward in both the sports and film industries.
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During the United Nations General Assembly visit by President William Ruto, accompanied by CS Namwamba, Kenya inked two historic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that are set to revolutionize the nation’s sports and entertainment sectors.
The NBA Deal Explained
One of the key highlights of this remarkable achievement is the signing of an MOU with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
In addition, under this agreement, the focus will primarily be on grassroots talent development through the Talanta Hela Initiative.
This initiative aims to nurture young basketball talents in schools and communities across Kenya.
Similarly, teachers will receive training to become certified basketball coaches and scouts, further enhancing the development of the sport at the grassroots level.
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Further, the MOU includes plans to bolster basketball infrastructure by constructing courts in schools, communities, and neighborhoods, as well as establishing an elite arena for hosting top-level competitions.
To oversee these efforts, the NBA will open an office in Nairobi in November 2023, coordinating all activities under the agreement.
Also, President Ruto expressed his optimism regarding the partnership, stating, “The signing of an agreement with the NBA will facilitate the development of basketball infrastructure in Kenya with the capacity of hosting top-level competitions.”
Notable figures present during the signing included Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri, Basketball Africa League President Amadou Fall, and former NBA All-Star Luol Deng.
Hollywood Comes to Kenya
In another remarkable deal, Kenya partnered with Invention Studios, led by CEO Nickly Weinstock, a prominent figure in Hollywood.
This collaboration seeks to propel Kenya’s film industry to new heights under the umbrella of the Talanta Hela agenda.
Moreover, the Kenyan government will provide a range of incentives to Invention Studios, including visa waivers, relaxed entry for filming equipment, and easier access to filming locations within Kenya.
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In return, Invention Studios will actively promote Kenya as a filming destination, produce multiple movies in Kenya, and support the Talanta Hela Initiative by nurturing local creative talents and safeguarding their intellectual property rights and access to royalties.
The agreement also positions e-Talanta as a global platform for showcasing Kenyan and African creative content.
Furthermore, the collaboration extends beyond filmmaking, as Invention Studios has committed to offering technical and advisory support for the forthcoming YouthConnekt Africa Summit, scheduled for Nairobi in December 2023.
