Michael Olunga, the captain of Harambee Stars, is visibly excited as construction progresses swiftly on his ambitious multi-million sports complex in Homa Bay County. The state-of-the-art facility, part of his foundation academy MOFA (Michael Olunga Foundation Academy), represents a significant step toward modernizing youth sports development in Kenya.
Located in Othoro, Homa Bay, MOFA focuses on mentoring and nurturing young talent, providing opportunities for athletes aged between under 10 to 18 years. The academy also runs MOFA FC, a football club competing in the Football Kenya Federation National Super League, which is the country’s second-tier league. Olunga’s vision with the new complex is to elevate the academy’s operations and provide a platform where young players can grow and perform at their best.
The ongoing project features a high-performance center equipped with cutting-edge facilities designed to enhance talent identification and development. The complex aims to improve the quality of training and performance for MOFA FC and its players, helping them compete at higher levels. Olunga has shared glimpses of the progress on social media, highlighting the near completion of the pitch, which is currently about 60% finished.
“The field is almost ready,” Olunga said. “Our team is working hard, drilling water wells to sustain the facility. This will be one of the best sports complexes in the country.” His detailed explanation about the pitch construction showed the meticulous approach taken to ensure quality. He mentioned the use of coarse sand already laid down and the upcoming addition of fine sand to help the grass grow better and create a permeable playing surface.
Olunga’s commitment to this project reflects his dedication to giving back to the community through football. By building this top-class facility, he hopes to create an environment that supports the next generation of Kenyan footballers, helping them sharpen their skills and realize their potential at world-class standards.
Having previously played for Tusker FC and Gor Mahia, and most recently enjoying a successful stint at Al Duhail in Qatar, Olunga’s experience on international stages is now being channeled into nurturing homegrown talent. Currently, he is in the process of joining a new club after ending his contract with Al Duhail, with reports linking him to another Qatari team, Al Arabi.
Through this complex, Olunga is not just focusing on his football career but is making a lasting impact on Kenyan football by investing in infrastructure that will nurture talent for years to come.
