The youth football tournament introduces Gothia Cup pathway, Tertiary scholarships, and advanced scouting technology for outstanding players
Safaricom has launched Chapa Dimba season 5 of its flagship youth football tournament reaffirming its commitment to nurturing young football talent in Kenya.
The new season tournament has seen introduction of key pathways under the tournament targeted at transforming young lives through sports, education and technology.
Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa, Football Kenya Federation President (FKF) Hussein Mohammed and FKF Vice president McDonald Mariga presided over the tournament launched at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.
The launch follows the successful conclusion of season 4, where an all-star team toured Spain in September 2025.
Under sports development, an All-Star team comprising 32 outstanding players scouted from the tournament will represent Kenya at the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden, the world’s largest youth football tournament.
According to Ndegwa, the move marks a strategic shift from the international boot camps held in previous editions to structured international competition and expanded global exposure.
He said the second pathway focuses on education, with 150 outstanding players set to benefit from tertiary scholarships through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future programme.
“We are intentionally building pathways that combine sports, education, and technology to empower the next generation. Our goal is not just to develop footballers, but to nurture well-rounded young people who can positively transform their communities and the country,” Ndegwa said.
The tournament has also reduced the age category of players to 15–18 years, from the previous 16–20 years.The adjustment is aimed at enabling earlier talent identification, development, and placement into professional football structures locally and internationally.
Ndegwa said safaricom is also expanding the use of technology in player scouting and performance analysis as a purpose-led technology company.
The telco giant will now deploy enhanced scouting technologies, including VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices, beginning from the county level following the successful introduction of AI-powered GPS vests in the previous season.
The technology will support structured and data-driven scouting by tracking player movement, intensity, positioning, sprint metrics, and overall performance, while helping players build digital football profiles accessible to scouts and clubs globally.
“This season, we are taking technology deeper into grassroots football because we believe no talent should go unnoticed. Through data and digital player profiling, we are creating more structured pathways for young players to access opportunities locally and globally,” Ndegwa added.
The tournament will take place across eight regions nationwide, structured in five stages, which include Ward level, county level, inter-county level, regional level and national finals.
The registration for teams is open both boys’ and girls’ teams through the official Safaricom Chapa Dimba website. www.chapadimba.safaricom.co.ke
Ndegwa said national winners in both categories will each receive Sh 1 million, while prizes will also be awarded at county and regional levels alongside individual player awards for Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper.
Since its inception in 2017, Safaricom Chapa Dimba has produced notable football talents now featuring in local and international football, including Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch and Jentrix Shikangwa.
Others include Marion Serenge, Mercy Akoth, and several others. Some former participants have also represented Kenya at international competitions, including the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
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