Former Harambee Stars Captain Victor Wanyama Reveals Opening Timeline for His Football Academy in Busia

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has confirmed that the much-anticipated Wanyama Football Academy in Nambale, Busia, is in its final stages and will soon open its doors to young Kenyan footballers.

Together with his elder brother, McDonald Mariga, Wanyama has been spearheading the multi-million project through the Wanyama Foundation, established in 2018 to give back to the community by nurturing future sporting talent.

Speaking recently on NTV, Wanyama explained that delays were mainly caused by challenges with the playing surface.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

“We’ve been working on the grounds, and it’s been a bit tough because the soil that was there wasn’t good enough to allow the grass to grow. 

“We had to bring in new soil, which took a lot of time to install, but now we’re close to finishing up with the pitches so they can be up and running,” he revealed.

The academy, set on 22 acres of land, already has its administration block, classrooms, offices, teachers’ quarters, and dormitories completed. 

The only remaining works are the leveling and grading of the football pitch, which Mariga emphasized needs to be done carefully to meet professional standards.

“We want to make something professional that will help the community. Classes and offices are finished, so it is all about making sure the pitch is good enough,” Mariga said.

Wanyama also disclosed that a Nairobi branch of the academy will be established to expand opportunities for young players across Kenya.

“Right now, we’re at the stage of engaging partners because we believe in good playing surfaces. A good surface allows players to perform well, feel good, and showcase their potential. We want to do it right, and hopefully everything will be up and running soon,” he noted.

The Wanyama Foundation Academy is being described as a game-changer for Kenyan football. 

The facility will not only serve as a training hub with state-of-the-art pitches but will also offer formal education to ensure players have a solid academic foundation alongside their sporting careers.

In May, Mariga revealed what the project aimed to achieve upon completion.

“We have played in Europe and have seen first-hand the benefits of academies. We have acquired the knowledge necessary to nurture players and we will have professional coaches. 

“We also have academies from abroad willing to partner with us, which will make it easier to run programmes,” Mariga said as previously reported by Pulse Sports.

The academy also aims to create jobs for locals in Busia while offering scholarships and mentorship to needy students across the country.

With only pitch-leveling works remaining, the Wanyama brothers are confident that the academy will soon open and begin shaping Kenya’s next generation of football stars.