rufftoneGospel crooner Roy Smith Mwatia popularly known as Rufftone is planning to launch a campaign to bring football phenomenons Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Kenyan this year, Citizen Digital Reports.
The singer says the campaign has been inspired by the sorry state of Kenya’s football administration.
“I am deeply saddened by the situation of Kenyan football. There is a lot of talent in the country as there is dire football mismanagement in the country,” he said.
He added, “For example, Kenya has churned top footballers like former Harambee Stars midfielder Mike Okoth; the father of Divock Origi – who plays for Belgium. Mr Okoth in the 90’s relocated to Belgium to play professional football; and was impressed by Belgium’s football management.”
“Then emerged Musa Otieno who also sought greener pastures in South Africa; then followed Allan Wanga, Dennis Oliech, McDonald Mariga and Victor Mugubi Wanyama. They are all talented; so it will be wrong to say Kenya does not have gifted footballers.”
Rufftone who is the South Korean Goodwill Ambassador plans to mobilise Kenyans to help him take to social media and invite recently crowned Ballon D’or winner Messi, and the first runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo to encourage upcoming footballers who have lost hope in pursuing soccer as a career.
“I will mobilize Kenyans to invite Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to come and encourage young Kenyans that football pays; and that it is a career like any other – by doing so, Kenya’s football management will see the need to take the youths’ talent seriously,” said Rufftone, adding: “We cannot always live by the phrase ‘football does not pay’.”
“I’d love to see them (Messi and Ronaldo) instill confidence in our young footballers; ask them to dream that they (Kenyan footballers) can achieve greatness – as vast as theirs. I wish to invite them to Nyayo National Stadium where they will talk for one hour,” he added before concluding, “If we can front this initiative by mobilizing for their Kenyan visit through their social media handles, I believe that will come to pass. I solely rely on the unity of Kenyans and the favour of God to make this possible.”