Harambee Starlets head coach, Charles Okere, is among 25 local tacticians who received their CAF 'B' coaching licences at the Kenya Institute of Special Education on Wednesday.
Other notable names also certified after the four-month course include former national team players Musa Otieno, Hilary Echesa, Fred Ambani, Doreen Nabwire and Beldine Odemba.
Tusker assistant coach George Maina, Joseph Wambua of Ulinzi Starlets, Bidco United head coach Anthony Akhulia were beneficiaries too.
Okere said the course would help Kenya bridge the gap currently existing between the East Africans and the rest of the continent.
“Playing in the Women’s Champions League showed us that we have gaps that can be bridged through such training. This course also teaches about long-term player development which is key to raising our game,” said Okere.
Former Harambee Stars skipper Musa Otieno said the graduates were ready to trickle down the knowledge they had received.
“We are lucky to be the pioneer class at this level. We are the ones who can change football in this generation and we have to use the knowledge gained to make a difference at the grassroots and especially among young people.”
Ulinzi Starlets tactician Wambua said he had begun reaping the fruits.
“I am a different coach now. I have started applying what I have learned and I have won two trophies already," he said.
Bidco's Akhulia said he would now employ an entirely different approach in his training sessions, based on what he learned.
“This course has been intense but that is why it is good. It has changed my outlook on football. There are things I did not know about how football is managed and coached. It is now upon me to transfer this knowledge to my players,” said Akhulia.
The coaches are expected to practice for at least one year before they can progress to the next level. The extensive four-month course included attachments at top-level clubs for all coaches.