FKF launches strategy for women’s football

FKF president Nick Mwendwa and deputy president Doris Petra (without tracksuits) with Harambee Starlets during FKF Women Football Strategy launch in Nairobi on July 14, 2021. [Courtesy]

In a bid to realise the full potential that exists within women’s football, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) yesterday launched the women football strategy in Nairobi.

The launch brought together all stakeholders of women’s football in which FKF’s head of Women Football department, Doreen Nabwire took them through what the strategy entailed.

According to Nabwire, who was the first woman in Kenya to play professional football, the strategy aims to develop five key pillars namely grassroots and youth football, leagues and competitions/club licensing, national teams and centers of excellence, capacity building, marketing and branding of women football.

“Looking from where we are coming from and the challenges we have had in women football, I can say this is a very bold step that looks to ensure that every talent across the country is tapped. We want to create opportunities for every child through the grassroots programme,” said Nabwire.

On his part, FKF president Nick Mwendwa said the strategy will help Harambee Starlets achieve their ambitious dream of qualifying for the World Cup.

“Through this strategy, we hope to exploit, grow and develop the Women’s game and guide Kenya’s vision of qualifying for the Women’s World Cup for the first time ever,” said Mwendwa.

“We re-introduced women football competitions, that played a key role in ensuring Kenya’ s qualification for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations and winning the 2019 CECAFA Women Championships, these achievements coupled with an increased number of our female football players scouted in some of Europe’s top leagues.”

Meanwhile, Kenya national U23 team arrived in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia yesterday ahead of the 2021 CECAFA U23 Championships set to kick off on Sunday.