Are Kenyan women becoming better in sports than men?

Majority of women in Kenya are now actively embracing and participating in national sports.

Previously dominated by men, the world of sports has in the past years witnessed an increase of women participants, a majority of who have won awards locally, across the region and globally.

Traditionally, the placement of women was in the kitchen which saw them shy away from sports, but that is now changing.

Besides athletics, other sports that have been dominated by women include football, rugby, hockey, volley ball among others.

On April 12th this year Kasarani stadium was thrown into hysteria after the National Women Football team Harambee starlets qualified for African Cup of Nations.

The team which makes its debut at the African football extravaganza scheduled for 19th November to 3rd December, eluded their male counterpart’s who have failed to qualify for group stages since 2004 under the tutelage of the then coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.

The Golden Girls railed from a point down to clinch victory in the 79th minute through Cheris Awino Salano who scored from a set piece.

Algeria’s Bauhinia Naima was very instrumental in the match seeing the back of the net in the first half sending custodian Samantha Akinyi the wrong direction.

Starlets never gave up and instead kept mounting pressure on the visitors who for the better part of the match had their shirts behind the ball.

The ladies managed to break the ice with a last –gasp winner to qualify on aggregate of 3-3 with a home advantage.

Their triumph patently displays how women have become of age in not only matters football but sports in general.

Football Kenya Federation Vice President Doris Petra in an interview said the milestone reached does not end in the pitch as women can also embrace leadership roles in sports cycles.

Petra who started her football leadership journey from the lowest level at the sub branch rose steadily to her current position beating her male counterparts in a re-run.

The former leagues and competitions Manager garnered 53 votes beating former Western branch chairman Andrew Amukowa who managed zero votes while Dan Shikanda polled only one.

“Women should show personal interest and identify with the game only then will men recognize their efforts and contributions in the world of sports.” she said.

Ms Petra added that women who understand sports were better placed when it comes to leadership roles in sports.

“Leadership is authority and women can only command authority if they understand details revolving around sports “, Said the FKF vice.

Similarly the number of female football referees in the country has gone up.

This is a testament that female anchors in Kenya have the ability to make right decisions especially when officiating matches.

“It is only in Kenya where you find female referees officiating male matches in the premier league unlike other African countries where they strictly officiate female matches alone,” said Petra.

Ms Damaris Kimani, Tabitha Njoroge, Wanjala Carolynn, Jane Cherono ,Mary Njoroge and Beryl Okwatch only to mention a few of Kenyan referees who are accredited to officiate top-notch matches.

Beryl Okwatch a National referee who manned an inter-county a re-match between Kwale and Kajiado Counties last year December is one of our celebrated female referees in the country.

Ms Okwatch demonstrated boldness and love for her work when she took up the task of officiating a most volatile match that had been abandoned earlier on due to chaos.

“All male and female referees had shied away from officiating the match with fear of exhibiting chaotic results, I saw a loop hole and took up the task ,steering the re-match to a successful end,” said Ms Okwatch.

The match that ended successfully with Kwale County railing Kajiado County 3-1 is also one of her biggest achievements as a referee.

The former Harambee starlet player said that being a female referee was a great challenge to her since she had to fight for her voice to be heard.

“Fans are our number one challenge since they always believe that we are not good enough to officiate matches, they often question our trust ability and thinking we are going to blunder the next minute,” said the bubbly Ms Okwatch.

As Kenya plans to host African rugby 7s for the third time from September 23 -25 at Kasarani Stadium Nairobi, it is also important to note that our women rugby team (lioness) will be participating in this year’s Olympics.

The games which are to begin in August 5 -21, 2016 will bring a huge boost to Kenya especially the lioness rugby team who are a tiny minority.

Olympics is lending a vital role in popularizing female rugby in Kenya where the women game has emerged from the shadows of established male team who have made huge strides on the sevens circuit with the crowning of Collins Injera as the first African World all-time top try scorer.

Lioness qualified for the Rio de Janiero games after winning the Africa championship in September which also doubled as Olympic qualifiers.

South Africa eased Kenyan team (lioness) entry to Olympic Games when they decided against Brazil.

Currently back in the country after losing to South Africa in the finals in Rome Italy, lioness captain Catherine Abilla says her side is ready to play their hearts out come Olympics.

Ms Abilla says that they will not leave stones unturned and that they hope to carry the day in Rio.

“We lost to South Africa in the finals, that only proves that we can be crowned winners at the Olympics, “Said lioness captain.

When asked about women participation in rugby Ms Abilla said that women are now actively embracing the game.

“We started with 2 clubs that is Mwamba and KCB then later on six other teams emerged, “Said Ms Abilla.

Ms Abilla added that their rising numbers led to the emergence of the first ever rugby female tournament in Kenya.

We can now compete among ourselves in Kenya because we have a stable tournament.

However she was quick to note that their number one challenge was funding since they have no sponsors.

She cited that a majority of the players depend on the game as their source of income but poor pay was weighing them down.

“My players have to strain in order to work within pay limits nevertheless they are not giving up anytime soon, “She said.

The captain of Lioness said that if given enough funding then women rugby team just like their male counterparts will get to greater heights.

Motivation and passion in sports has also seen female journalists rise with the likes of Caroll Radul, Anne Wachira, Cellestine Olilo and Wanjiku Mwende among other female sports journalist in a male dominated area.