Sports Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum yesterday visited the Harambee Starlets and the U17 girls’ national team at their residential training camp at Kasarani Stadium.
His visit came as both teams prepare for crucial upcoming qualifiers: the Harambee Starlets facing Tunisia in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers, and the U17 team gearing up for their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Uganda.
Addressing the players, Eng. Tum expressed his admiration for their dedication and resilience.
“Your commitment to the sport and your country is truly inspiring,” he remarked. “As you step onto the field, remember that you carry the hopes of an entire nation. Play with passion, unity, and confidence.”
Eng. Tum highlighted the government’s deliberate investments aimed at nurturing football talent across the country.
He emphasised the pivotal role of school games as foundational platforms for identifying and developing young athletes.
“Our investment in school sports has yielded remarkable results,” he noted. “Talents like Velma Awuor, Lorna Faith, Quinter Adhiambo, Christine Adhiambo, and Halima Imbachi have risen through these ranks, showcasing the effectiveness of our grassroots programs.”
Harambee Starlets are set to host Tunisia in the first leg at Ulinzi Sports Complex tomorrow, before travelling to Tunis on February 26 for the return leg.
The winner of the tie will advance to face either Nigeria or Gambia for a spot in next year’s WAFCON finals in Morocco.
Meanwhile, the U17 team is intensifying preparations for their qualifiers in Uganda, aiming to build on their recent successes and secure a place in the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Present were FKF President Hussein Mohammed and VP MacDonald Mariga.
