Busia County Partners with Russian Football Federation to Nurture Local Talent

By Wasike Elvis

Busia County is set to benefit from a groundbreaking international sports partnership following a successful agreement between the St. Petersburg Football Federation in Russia and Busia County, spearheaded by Busia Women Representative Hon. Catherine Omanyo.

The partnership, announced this week, aims to promote the development of football in the region by creating opportunities for local players to access professional training, international exposure, and educational scholarships.

As part of the deal, Busia County will host annual friendly matches with Russian football teams, allowing young talent to showcase their skills on a global stage. In addition, professional trainers and international football scouts from Russia will visit Busia every year to train local coaches and identify promising players.

“This partnership marks a new era for sports in Busia,” said Hon. Omanyo. “It’s not just about football—it’s about unlocking the potential of our youth, creating pathways to success, and positioning Busia on the international map.”

The collaboration will also see talented players from Busia awarded scholarships to further their education and training, both locally and abroad. The initiative is expected to strengthen the county’s grassroots football programs and foster long-term development in youth sports.

Hon. Omanyo lauded the St. Petersburg Football Federation for its commitment to investing in African talent and expressed optimism that the partnership would inspire similar collaborations in other sectors.

“This is a win for Busia, a win for Kenya, and most importantly, a win for our youth,” she said.

Preparations for the first round of exchange programs and friendly matches are already underway, with the first delegation from Russia expected to arrive later this year.