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Ambitious coach Beldine Odemba has taken the reins of the Kenya National Women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, for an undisclosed period.

Barry Otieno, Secretary General of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), has confirmed this development following the departure of Godfrey Oduor, who has moved to Bungoma to work with the Premier League side Nzoia Sugar FC.

Odemba’s first task is to assemble a squad for camp at the Kasarani Stadium from September 10. The camp will prepare the team for the crucial African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) Qualifiers against Cameroon.

Oduor was appointed in March for the women’s coaching position, but he unexpectedly departed without leading the team in a single match.

It’s believed that his decision was prompted by his new role as the head coach of Nzoia Sugar FC, which he found challenging to juggle with the Starlets’ responsibilities.

He was initially handed the role for Harambee Starlets as a prelude to Charlse Okere’s return to Tusker FC during the FKF suspension period.

Odemba’s tenure starts immediately, carrying significant expectations as she faces three-time African Women’s Cup of Nations finalists, Cameroon.

Odemba, holding a CAF B coaching license, has previously been the head coach of the Harambee Starlets under-18 team (Rising Starlets). She’s also currently at the helm of Kenya Police FC women’s side, Police Bullets.

Kenya is set to kick off the 2024 AWCON Qualifiers against Cameroon on September 22, with the second leg scheduled in Nairobi on September 26.

The victor of this fixture will go on to challenge either Gabon or Botswana in the next round of qualifiers. The outcome of this match will determine the team that secures a ticket to Morocco for next year’s tournament.

Meanwhile, Kericho County  Chief Officer for Sports and Youth Affairs Geoffrey Bett has raised concern over the shortage of qualified and professional athletics referees in the county.

He says this has pulled back sports development in the county, an issue he says needs to be addressed as soon as possible for the sake of the sector. 

Speaking at the Kericho Tea Secondary School, Bett (pictured) said the issue was so serious and therefore, should be addressed at all costs saying it was not right not to have sufficient referees. 

“We have realised, there’s a big shortage of athletics referees in the county and we are doing everything possible to address the issue,” he conveyed.

Bett also mentioned that the department is currently compiling a list of the sports officials to ascertain the exact number of the shortfall in the county. 

He revealed that the department will soon be funding training programmes for the officials for the sake of proper and professional handling of sports disciplines to international standards. 

Bett assured the county residents of big changes in sports in the next few years arguing that the county administration will increase budgetary allocations in a bid to take the sector to the next level.
-Philip Yegon