The former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars midfielder, who has a 32-acre academy in Texas with seven fields and 700 players, believes he has the necessary requirements needed to take the reins at Kandada house

Former Harambee Stars player Sammy Owino ‘Kempes’ has revealed why he is the right man to take over the role of Football Kenya Federation President when elections for the office of president are held early next year. Owino, who is currently based in the USA where he runs a 32-acre academy in Texas plans to start investing back home, with a view of raising the next generation of stars. The former Gor Mahia man revealed that Kenya has a lot of potential football wise but only needs visionary leaders to build on it. “I think I have the experience and all the prerequisites needed,” Owino told Walk With Sagini. “If you look at Kenya, we lack the infrastructure which I am doing right now,” he added. “I have done that before (In the USA) we do not have youth infrastructure which I have done for years. We do not have coaching education infrastructure which I have done for years. I believe I have the requisite knowledge required to grow football back home. “If you compare me to those who have been there in the past or are vying for those elections and compare to our experience, no one has as much knowledge as I do.” The U.S Soccer Federation Level A coaching license holder built his AYSES Academy in Texas, United States, from scratch and now has over 700 players and seven fields, sitting on a 32-acre land. Owino has sworn to develop the level of infrastructure if elected the new federation president, citing that footballers in the country have lacked facilities they can use to take their game to the next level. “There are various levels of infrastructure such as the stadia that will be constructed for the AFCON, but there is infrastructure that we can build that can be used by FKFPL clubs and the ones that our youths can use to grow their games. “If you look at the high level infrastructure, our highest level is not at a good place and I think that I have the knowledge required. I will work with the government to ensure I put in the required knowledge. “There are problems that run deep such as corruption. You may find that funds allocated to build stadia are there but not accounted for. Whoever will become president must have some say to ensure that there is accountability and I believe I have the experience needed to take our football to the next level.”