The 2015/2016 Kenya women football Premier League season will not kick off this weekend as earlier scheduled.
Participating clubs have written to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to be given more time to source for sponsors according to women football committee chairperson, Angeline Mwikali.
"As a federation, we are still looking for sponsors of the league. When everything will be okay, I will definitely let you know," Angeline told FeverPitch yesterday.
A coach, who sought anonymity for fear of intimidation, told FeverPitch they will not take part in the league if there are no sponsors this season, saying they are broke and honouring the games was costly.
"In 2013, the league ended prematurely because teams were not able to cater for their expenses. Playing two matches in one weekend is not advisable to professional players. We also need to make women football in the country more professional, just like the men's event.
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"Last Month, the senior team did well to reach the third round of Rio 2016 qualifiers. This shows that we have talent and if we put more effort in the development, we will qualify for many international matches. Look at our men's team. The way they are treated is exactly the opposite as compared to us, but the results also show something else," said the coach.
He added that the issue of sponsorship starts with federation.
"Let me take for example a team from Kisumu traveling to Mombasa for a match. It is very expensive to get transport and accommodation for 18 players. We are calling for well-wishers to come and salvage the situation," added the tactician.
Since Unicef pulled out of the league in 2012, the league has never been the same again and the girls have been left with nothing much to do.
"We just need a competitive league because there is no doubt we have talent in the country and empowerment is urgently needed. Most of the girls who take part in the league are single mothers especially from the slums.
"When will women football in the country will grow to compete with other teams in the world?," wondered a senior player.
