In preparation for our game against a SportPesa All Stars side in February, we've sent a couple of scouts to Kenya for a couple of weeks. Not exactly a hotbed of international talent, but Victor Wanyama is from there so there's a chance of unearthing a gem I suppose. Getting a work permit might be tricky though. Gaming firm SportPesa has unveiled plans to host two coaches from the English Premier League club Hull City in Kenya for a two-week scouting and selection mission ahead of the anticipated football match between a Premier League team and an African side to be played in February, 2017. The duo are former Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers coach Richard Naylor and Kris Blakeston, one of the longest serving members of the Hull City Academy staff having worked at the club for eight years now. SportPesa on Thursday said the coaches will be in the country from today to November 20 and will, among other activities, attend league, national matches and training sessions to aid them select 50 players from the 16 Kenya Premier League teams that will later head for a training camp in January, 2017. From the January training camp, a squad of 16 players dubbed SportPesa All Stars will be selected to face a Hull City side in the United Kingdom and in a return leg in Kenya. The betting firm said that the move is part of its commitment to develop Kenya’s football to global standards and also part of its campaign aimed at having Kenya compete in the World Cup for the first time in 2022. SportPesa, chief executive officer, Ronald Karauri said that he was thrilled by the prospects. “‘SportPesa All Stars’ will be flying Kenya’s and indeed Africa’s flag when they play Hull City and we are certain that the best players will be selected for the training camp and the squad,” he said. Among fixtures the Hull City coaches will attend include this Sunday’s all-important match between league leaders Tusker and AFC Leopards in Nakuru, Harambee Stars two friendly matches against Mozambique and Liberia, training sessions with Ulinzi Stars, Muhoroni Youth, Chemilil, Thika United, Ushuru FC, Bandari among others. “We hope to be fully immersed into Kenya’s football scene during our scouting and selection period, exchange ideas with coaches and players, interact with football fans and select a formidable team to face Hull City,” Richard Naylor, the head professional development coach, said. http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/football/1102-3440320-s9ne3fz/index.html?
I think the Mau Maus would be challenging for the Scouts to deal with...no matter how 'prepared' the little chaps are
I got expelled from the scouts for flushing someone's cap down the bog. Akela was our next door neighbour at the time, I thought she'd give me a bit of leeway.
I expect the other moderators have done similar things in their past. You're all beastly Flashman types.
Not 2 scouts but 3 coaches. Like we can spare 3 more staff at the present time! So, that's now NINE out, one in. p.s. yes, I know it's only temporary, and I know it's well intentioned etc.
