Safaricom has launched Season 5 of Safaricom Chapa Dimba with a renewed strategy positioning the competition as a structured pathway linking grassroots football to professional opportunities, education advancement, and international exposure.
The tournament, unveiled in Kisumu, has been redesigned to strengthen the transition of young footballers from local talent discovery stages into elite development and global football platforms.
A major highlight of the new season is the introduction of an international competitive pathway through the Gothia Cup in Sweden. An All-Star team of 32 players will be selected to represent Kenya at the tournament, replacing the previous model of overseas training camps with direct participation in global competition.
Safaricom says the shift is aimed at exposing Kenyan youth players to higher levels of competition and professional football environments at an earlier stage in their careers.
The programme also includes a strong education component, with 150 outstanding players set to benefit from tertiary scholarships under the Citizens of the Future initiative, reinforcing the link between sport and academic progression.
Speaking during the launch, Peter Ndegwa emphasized the company’s long-term investment in youth development.
“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.
In addition to education and competition reforms, Safaricom is intensifying its use of technology to transform talent scouting. The company confirmed deployment of advanced tools including VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices from the county stage of the tournament.
These will complement AI-powered GPS vests previously introduced, enabling detailed performance tracking such as player movement, speed, positioning, workload, and match intensity. The system will also generate structured digital profiles for each player to be accessed by 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,” added Ndegwa.
The competition will be staged across eight regions and 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 in both categories will each receive KES 1 million, with additional prizes awarded at county and regional stages. Individual awards will also be given for Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper.
Since its launch in 2017, Safaricom Chapa Dimba has grown into one of Kenya’s most influential grassroots football development platforms, producing talents such as Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa and Mercy Akoth, some of whom have progressed to professional clubs and international competitions.
