In what could redefine the future of grassroots talent, Youth Fund chair Fatma Barayan has thrown a bold challenge to local teams stop playing for passion alone and start playing for profit.
Speaking in Changamwe during a high-energy volleyball tournament organized by Charles Nyaberi, Barayan warned that countless non-professional athletes are wasting raw talent with nothing to show when the game ends. Her solution? Structure up or miss out.
Barayan is pushing teams across Mombasa and the wider Coast to register as Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), unlocking access to government-backed funding streams like Youth Fund, Uwezo Fund and NGAAF.
She revealed that specialized “Talanta loans” are already on the table but only for organized groups. “You can’t just show up with talent and expect funding,” she said. “There must be structure, registration, and strategy.”
The message is clear: sports must evolve from recreation to economic engines.
By forming CBOs, teams can tap into funding, gain business training, and turn their skills into sustainable ventures beyond the pitch or court.
From financial literacy to proposal writing, Barayan insists the tools are there but Coast youth are lagging behind due to lack of organization.
Local leaders echoed the urgency. Mombasa County Volleyball Association officials, including Dedi Dida and chair Maduda Wawera, called for stronger investment in facilities and equipment, warning that neglect could kill rising talent.
Nyaberi didn’t mince words either sports is now a serious income stream in Kenya, and failure to invest in infrastructure could see talents fade before they shine.
Even more alarming, the Changamwe volleyball court a lifeline for local players—is under threat from land grabbers.
Nyaberi cautioned that without immediate protection, yet another opportunity for youth empowerment could vanish.
Fatma Barayan also urged youth to register as voters in large numbers, stressing that one must be a registered voter to have the power to elect leaders of their choice.
She emphasized that young people should not just vote, but ensure the leaders they elect strictly comply with Chapter Six of the Constitution on integrity.
Bottom line? The talent is there. The money is there. The only missing link is structure. And as Barayan puts it those who organize will eat. Those who don’t, will watch.
