Kisumu All Starlets coach hopeful despite numerous challenges

Kisumu All Starlets(Red) in past action during the Women Premier League match against Mombasa Olympic. [Photo/Standard]

Football Kenya Federation Women Premier League side Kisumu All Starlets coach Juma Said is hopeful that his side will finish within top five places by the end of the first leg.

With only four matches remaining to the end of the first leg, All Starlets are perched on tenth place on the table standing with 13 points in the 16-team league.

“Compared to last season, the performance of the team is steadily improving. The players are picking up well. The team is getting better and they look mature enough now. It’s sad that we lost two consecutive home matches because of our mistakes but we have learnt it,” said Said.

He said they have experienced financial challenges, which has resulted in poor performance. This is the second season All Starlets is taking part in the national league and following the exit of their sponsors, Makini School in the beginning of the season, they were forced to change their name from Palos Ladies.

“Finance is the biggest challenge we have in the club. Last season, Makini School supported us but they pulled out and since then, things have not been the same again. Makini used to give the players winning incentives that motivated the players and when they left, we approached Kisumu Youth Football Association, who helps us with some little money.

“Getting professional players in the team is difficult because if they come and realize there’s no money, they opt out and that has really affected us in our bid to get good players,” said Said.

With the challenges, the club has resorted to initiatives to make sure they honour matches. One of the initiatives is hosting Wazee wa Kazi tournament that is played after every two weeks. Here, every player is expected to pay Sh200 as participation fee. The money collected is awarded to two teams participating in the weekend match.

“This is a good initiative because the younger players draw inspirations from the experienced ones,” he added.  

Each of the Women Premier League teams has received Sh750, 000 grant from the global football governing body FIFA for this season. It’s pilot phase for the new women football development in what the coach says the money will only be used as transport for away matches.