It’s time to support women football

Lady luck has struck for a rising number of Harambee Starlets players joining paid ranks abroad. And after announcing their talent on the global pitch, the government, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and other stakeholders should put their money where their mouths are.

It should not be enough just to send congratulatory messages. Kenya has already exported five players to top European leagues in less than two months after an impressive season last year.

FKF and the government should get something decent to motivate them as well as sponsorship for cash-strapped Women’s Premier League.

Starlets’ Cecafa Championships title triumph in Tanzania and impressive performance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where they lost 1-0 (3-2) on aggregate to Zambia in the penultimate round of the qualifiers, appears to have opened a new dawn on the women’s football.

Former Gaspo Youth midfielder Corazon Aquino is in Portugal to complete the move to top-tier side Atletico Ouriense, while Vihiga Queens midfielder Cynthia Shilwatso has clinched a three-year deal with Spanish side EDF Logrono.

Thika Queens forward Mwanalima Adam is set to travel to Sweden for trials at Club Djurgardens IF. Eldoret Falcons duo of goalkeeper Annette Kundu and defender Ruth Ingotsi became the first players of Starlets’ to land deals with Cyprus outfit Lakatamia FC, this month.

It is high time women footballers are accorded same treatment as their male counterparts. While the federation secured sponsorship for the National Super League (Betika-Sh90 million) and County Leagues (Odibets-Sh127 million), the Women’s Premier League is struggling financially.