Safaricom has officially launched Season 5 of its flagship youth football tournament Chapa Dimba. However, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be about far more than football.
Beyond the competition on the pitch, the youth tournament is introducing new pathways designed to create opportunities for young players through international exposure, tertiary education opportunities and advanced scouting technology.
Speaking during the launch, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the company’s goal is to nurture future-ready young people capable of transforming their communities through sports, education and technology.
“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.
The new season will also feature a revised age bracket of 15–18 years, down from the previous 16–20 years, in a move aimed at enabling earlier talent identification and development into professional football structures locally and internationally.
New Pathways for Young Talent
As part of the tournament’s expanded sports development pathway, 32 exceptional players will earn a chance to represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, widely regarded as the world’s biggest youth football tournament.
The move marks a strategic shift from the international bootcamps held in previous editions to structured international competition and expanded global exposure.
Additionally, the second pathway focuses on education, with 150 outstanding players set to benefit from tertiary scholarships through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future programme.
Read More: Wanyama Empowers Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars
Chapa Dimba Scouting Technology
Safaricom is expanding its use of technology to improve talent identification and player development through data-driven scouting and performance tracking.
Following the successful introduction of AI-powered GPS vests in the previous season, the new edition will roll out enhanced tools such as Veo Cameras and MyScout AI devices starting from the county level.
These systems will capture detailed performance data including movement patterns, intensity levels, positioning, sprint output and overall match contribution.
This is intended to create structured digital player profiles that can be accessed by scouts and clubs beyond Kenya.
“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.
About Safaricom Chapa Dimba
Safaricom Chapa Dimba is a national grassroots football tournament run in partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Launched in 2017, the initiative was created to give young people, both boys and girls a platform to showcase, nurture and benefit from their football talent.
The competition is open to both boys’ and girls’ teams and will be held across eight regions nationwide through five stages: ward, county, inter-county, regional and national finals.
National winners in both categories will each receive KES 1 million, while additional prizes will be awarded at county and regional levels alongside individual awards for Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.
Chapa Dimba forms part of Safaricom’s broader youth empowerment agenda implemented alongside initiatives such as the Safaricom Foundation, M-PESA Foundation and Citizens of the Future programme, which continue to support education, digital inclusion and community transformation across Kenya.
Player Success Stories
Since its inception in 2017, the tournament has produced several standout players who have progressed into professional and national football setups locally and internationally.
Notable alumni include Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa, Marion Serenge and Mercy Akoth, among others.
Several former participants have also represented Kenya in international competitions and professional leagues abroad.
Most recently, former Chapa Dimba players Valerie Nekesa, Mercy Akoth, Marion Serenge and Elizabeth Mideva featured in the 2026 FIFA Women Series held at Nyayo National Stadium.
International Exposure and Talent Development
Previously, the tournament incorporated international exposure programmes aimed at broadening player development and experience:
For instance, season 1 winners travelled to the United Kingdom for an international football experience. While seasons 2 and 4 saw All-Star teams travel to Spain for elite training and exposure opportunities.
However, season 3 was disrupted and cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Season 5 is set to elevate its international pathway further, with the All-Star team set to represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden.
Overall, these initiatives highlight Safaricom Chapa Dimba’s evolution from a grassroots tournament into a long-term talent development platform shaping the future of Kenyan football.
