Harambee Starlets won’t flourish unless FKF improves women football leagues standards says Kadwalo

[PHOTO: COURTESY OF TRACEY CONSOLATA]

Kenya’s women football national side Harambee Starlets won’t flourish to international standards unless Football Kenya Federation (FKF) improves standards locally, Florence ‘Kadwalo’ Adhiambo has said.

Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday morning during a WPL league match between her own Makolanders FC against Mathare United at Camp Toyoyo, the former Harambee starlets’ captain was outraged by the standards of women football locally.

“To be honest we can only compete against mediocre sides like us. How do you expect to get quality players who have not been well prepared? Preparation starts with an organized league, better facilities and well trained coaches who can handle women,” the tough talking Makolanders FC coach cum player retorted.

The WPL in Kenya is the women’s first tier football league after the nationwide league. But to begin with, amateurs would start building up in the regional leagues first before climbing up the ranks. Here it is rumored that women football teams would go for over a month without playing a single league match as there are no fixtures.

“I decided to join Girls Unlimited FC because they play at the lower league. Here, I have a chance to also give back to many upcoming players because we the older players also double up as coaches. The problem is the federation because we last played, one and a half months ago in Kariobangi, everything was disorganized when we got there. It took two more hours for the match officials to be ready for the game,” said former Makolanders stopper Winnie Olendo.

Since Nick Mwendwa took over office at the realm of FKF, it was believed by many football stake holders that he was the messiah. The federation however has improved football standards only at the national level.

“The only difference we have with this new office as compared to the Sam Nyamweya’s previous one is that at least players have ‘some money’ now at the national team. Also the national team gets to play more friendly matches and competes more internationally. But that’s it, nothing more. Here at the lower level things are still the same. I am wondering why we have many matches being cancelled at WPL? The nationwide and the regional leagues are even worse, they have no idea who their next opponent will be and when?” asked a dejected Kadwalo.

Makolanders FC currently second on the log boasts of having produced many national team players and coaches since time immemorial. At the moment they have shot stopper Pauline ‘master’ Owino and soldier Neddy Atieno who leads Kenya’s attack.

The women side currently spends five million Kenya shillings per season. This money pays for players’ allowances and caters for other club logistics which include travelling, food, accommodation, registration among other FKF WPL requirements.

“It is tough but we manage anyway. We don’t pay salaries here because we can’t afford that; our club survives from well-wishers who are mainly alumni of Makolanders FC. They have to chip in without tiring, for us to survive a training week and honor a league match that weekend,” summarized coach Kadwalo.

Makolanders fc is just an example of the many women football clubs in Kenya that are self-reliant. Kadwalo who is assisted by other club officials like George Ochieng, Mike, former Gormahia FC forward Benedict ‘kaka’ Alila, former Pipeline fc and Harambee stars u-23 coach Habil Nanjero and many others, is lucky to have support. She has recruited her girls from as far as Bungoma County, Kitale town in Trans Nzoia County and Thika town in Kiambu County.

Her only motivation is the simple love of football and humanity. Women especially in sub Saharan Africa are very vulnerable. It is important that once they develop special skills and talents, concerned parties should invest in them from an early age by providing the right amenities and avenues for growth.