Kenya's First World Cup Football Team Departs for Training

President William Ruto has lauded the unifying role of sports in Kenya.

At the flagging-off ceremony on Thursday for the Junior Starlets' pre-World Cup tour in Spain, Ruto urged Kenyans to support the team, stating that sports are a powerful force for national unity. He praised Kenya's immense talent, describing it as the country's greatest asset and expressed pride in being part of the group sending the Junior Starlets to their first World Cup. The President commended the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports, which ensured the players could pursue their historic journey without compromising their academic commitments.

Ruto also announced a significant policy change regarding the sports fund, declaring that it would now be exclusively focused on supporting sports activities rather than being diverted to other purposes. This decision aims to provide adequate resources for sports development from the grassroots level. The 23-member Junior Starlets squad, accompanied by eight officials, is set to depart for an 11-day training camp in Spain on Thursday, September 19. This camp is a crucial component of their preparation for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Dominican Republic.

The flagging-off ceremony at State House was attended by key officials, including Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen, PS Peter Tum, and FKF President Nick Mwendwa. The Junior Starlets secured their World Cup spot with a commanding 5-0 aggregate victory over Burundi, making them the first Kenyan football team to qualify for a World Cup tournament. Led by head coach Mildred Cheche, the team has been training rigorously to ensure they are in top form for the competition. During their stay in Spain, the Junior Starlets will engage in intensive training sessions and play at least two friendly matches against fellow competitors, helping them acclimatize to different time zones and conditions.

The FIFA U17 Women's World Cup is scheduled to take place from October 16 to November 3, 2024, with Kenya drawn into Group C alongside England, Korea DPR, and Mexico. Team captain Elizabeth Ochaka expresses the squad's excitement and determination, emphasizing their readiness to represent Kenya on the global stage.