Finally, good news for the public: the American Football League is set to be launched in Kenya.
For starters, American football is a version of sport that evolved from English rugby and soccer, which slightly differs from soccer chiefly in allowing players to touch, throw, and carry the ball with their hands, as well as allowing each side to control the ball in alternating possessions. The sport is also played with 11 people on each side, the same as in soccer.
This exciting news was shared by renowned football coach Xavier Stukes, a distinguished football coach with an impressive 40-year track record from the United States who happens to also be an army veteran. He will join forces with Kenyan professionals, including Derrick Odhier, who is the President of the Kenya American Football Federation, and Ken Wambua, who is the President of the American Football Academy, so that together they can establish an American football league experience in Kenya.
Coach Xavier Stukes is also known for his commitment to athlete development, having made significant contributions off the field with numerous victories at the Cinco de Mayo International Bowl, American Conference Championship, and Atlantic Coast Football Alliance Championship.
He also brings a wealth of experience to this international collaboration, having served as the President of the Amateur Football Hall of Fame in 2019. He owns the Baltimore Rams Youth and Adult Football Organization, which has been in existence since 2014 and has secured two conference championships and one division championship.
Leading the fight to establish an American football league in Kenya, Coach Stukes is looking to partner with the Kenya American Federation. stating that his goal is to foster community growth and harmony among Kenyan men, women, and children, and that his vision extends beyond the game.
In a brief interview session we had with him alongside our journalist Miss Kithinji of SPMBUZZ, he shared the reason why he decided to settle with Kenya, despite many countries being in Africa, saying it is because Kenya is a country with a variety of opportunities, especially in the sporting arena.
“I am here to promote, refine, and develop American football the right way.
Kenya has an extreme amount of great talent here. Great athletes in all circles and all focuses, hence the reason I decided to come here and see if we can tap into that talent and refine the game of football here.” Coach Xavier explained.
Adding to that, he discovered the American football idea and opted to bring it to Kenya from a friend in Germany who passed the information to him, and after conducting some research, he decided to bring it here.
Explaining to all those who may want to take part in it to have the mental attitude and physical attitude, amongst other things that he highlighted.
“You have to have the mental fortitude as well as the physical fortitude. You have to be educated properly about the skill and about the techniques you have to practice more as well.” Coach Xavier shared.
Giving a disclaimer that the American Football Game is actually something that isn’t easy and requires one to dedicate their time and train with passion in order to conquer and be amongst the best who are doing it.
Speaking from experience, he clarified that there ain’t no secret to success, as all you’d need to do is trust God and do things the right way. Urging parents to support their kids who are playing it or who would like to join, as it can transform not just families and lives but also communities.
He concluded by speaking to all those interested in joining the American Football Game to consider checking out a federation they recently launched called Kenyan American Football Federation (KAFF), which, he said, has all the information they might need. He also hinted that on July 27, 2024, there will be an African Mega Ball that includes teams from Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and his team from the States that will be playing against each other at the Kasarani Stadium, a game he noted will help all those who don’t understand how the American Football Game works get an idea of how it goes.
