Safaricom has launched Season 5 of Safaricom Chapa Dimba with a renewed focus on early talent identification, structured player development, and expanded opportunities for youth footballers through education, technology, and international exposure.
Unveiled in Kisumu, the tournament will now focus on players aged 15 to 18 years, a strategic shift aimed at identifying talent earlier and linking it to professional pathways in both local and international football systems.
A key highlight of the season is the introduction of a direct international exposure route to the Gothia Cup in Sweden. An All-Star team comprising 32 top-performing players will be selected to represent Kenya at the global youth tournament, replacing the previous international bootcamp model.
The shift is part of Safaricom’s broader strategy to move from short-term exposure programmes to structured competitive participation at the global level.
Speaking during the launch, Peter Ndegwa said the programme is designed to create long-term impact beyond sport.
“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”, said Peter Ndegwa, Group CEO, Safaricom PLC.
Education remains a central pillar of the programme, with Safaricom announcing that 150 outstanding players will receive tertiary scholarships through the Citizens of the Future initiative. The scholarships aim to ensure that talented athletes also gain academic and professional skills beyond the pitch.
The company has also intensified its investment in sports technology, introducing enhanced scouting systems including VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices. These will be deployed from the county level to support real-time performance tracking and talent assessment.
The tools build on AI-powered GPS vests introduced in previous seasons and are expected to strengthen data-driven scouting by capturing metrics such as player movement, sprint performance, positioning, and match intensity. The system will also generate digital player profiles accessible to scouts and clubs worldwide.
“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,” added Ndegwa.
The tournament will be staged across eight regions and will follow a five-tier structure comprising ward, county, inter-county, regional, and national finals.
Registration for boys’ and girls’ teams is currently open through Safaricom Chapa Dimba.
At the national level, winning teams will each receive KES 1 million, with additional prizes for county and regional champions, as well as individual awards for Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper.
Since its launch in 2017, Safaricom Chapa Dimba has grown into one of Kenya’s key grassroots talent pipelines, producing players such as Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa and Mercy Akoth, many of whom have progressed to professional clubs and international competitions, including FIFA youth tournaments.
