Young footballers from Garissa who participated in the launch of the football academy./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

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Garissa county has taken a major step in promoting youth talent and development following the official opening of the Garissa Sports Arena and the Garissa Football Academy, the first facility of its kind in the region.

The academy was launched at Al Azaar Junior and Senior School, a private institution.

It is expected to play a key role in identifying and nurturing talent among young people, in line with Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum, which emphasises skills development, creativity and individual potential.

The launch ceremony was attended by Garissa county commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo and attended by education officials, local leaders and hundreds of youth who participated in a football tournament to mark the occasion.

Speaking during the event, the proprietor of Al Azaar Junior and Senior Schools, Ahmed Sambur, described the project as the result of years of dedication and planning.

Ahmed Sambur, the proprietor of Al Azaar Junior and Senior Schools speaking during the event. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

“This has not been an easy journey. It has taken us close to three years to bring this vision to life. Today, we are proud to open this sports academy to the community as a place where young people can grow their talents and find happiness,” he said.

Sambur said the academy aligns with the CBC framework by providing pathways for learners to explore their abilities beyond the classroom.

“The sports academy is not just about competition. It is about discipline, teamwork and personal growth. Through sports, learners understand winning and losing, and develop tolerance, resilience and cooperation,” he added.

He further emphasised that the initiative will help address social challenges, such as drug and substance abuse, by keeping young people actively engaged in constructive activities.

Garissa county commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo with footballers /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

“We are working closely with the community to ensure that our youth remain busy, focused and able to explore their full potential,” he said.

Garissa county commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo lauded the school’s management for supporting the government’s rollout of the CBC, noting that few institutions have fully embraced the sports and arts pathway.

“Having talent alone is not enough. It must be nurtured and matched with discipline to translate into meaningful opportunities,” Mwabudzo said.

He underscored the importance of discipline, consistency and focus in achieving success, drawing comparisons with elite athletes who dedicate time and effort to training.

“The CBC is about creativity and nurturing talent. It requires a high level of discipline from learners, teachers and parents. We must embrace this change for a better future,” he added.

Garissa subcounty director of education Abdirashid Mukhtar described the institution as a pioneer in implementing sports science under the CBC framework.

“This is the first school fully committed to sports science as envisioned in the CBC. Every learner has unique potential that must be identified, nurtured and developed,” he said.

Mukhtar highlighted that the sports and arts pathway offers a wide range of opportunities, including athletics, music, theatre and technical specialisations.

“Sports science works hand in hand with academics. Learners must be guided and trained consistently to help them discover and develop their abilities,” he said.

He also called on schools and the community to cultivate a strong sports culture through continuous training and mentorship, rather than waiting for competitions.

The opening of the Garissa Sports Arena and Football Academy is expected to transform the region into a hub for talent development, offering young people a platform to excel, while steering them away from negative influences.

Leaders expressed optimism that the initiative will not only uplift sports standards in Garissa but also contribute to national and international representation in future.