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The Kenya U17 Women’s side has received a Ksh10 million prize after defeating Burundi to qualify for this year’s global showcase in the Dominican Republic.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Ababu Namwamba announced the awarding of the prize money during a dinner organized by the ministry in honour of the Junior Starlets at the Carnivore Restaurant.

“It is a pleasure to cheer and support you. An honour to reward you with Ksh10 million in recognition of your historic achievement of getting to the very summit. The first Kenyan team ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup at any level.

“You have made our country proud and pumped incredible wind in the sails of women’s football in Kenya. We honour you, Junior Starlets. Hongera!” Ababu shared this on his official pages.

A two-nil win over Burundi in the return leg of the fourth round of the Fifa-U17 World Cup qualifiers at a packed Ulinzi Sports Complex was enough to assure the Starlets a slot in the upcoming Fifa-U17 World Cup and most importantly a place in Kenya’s football history.

Starlets World Cup ready

Junior Starlets will play in their debut World Cup alongside two other African representatives in Nigeria and Zambia. Nigeria will be making their eighth appearance at the tournament while it will be a second appearance for Zambia.

Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche acknowledged the achievement as a momentous one for the team and promised even better performances in the Dominican come November.

“It’s a big moment in Kenya, being a part of the team that makes history and being the first team to qualify for the World Cup. It’s a big moment for the players, for us as the technical bench, and the country,” Cheche said at the post-match press conference.

“This is the first time we are experiencing this. We are more motivated to even go and perform better at the World Cup.” She added.

Kenya now joins hosts Dominican Republic, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, England, Japan, DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Spain, the USA, and Zambia as the teams that have qualified for the tournament.

Junior Starlets line up against Burundi:

Starting XI: Velma Auma (GK), Kimberly Akinyi, Susan Akoth, Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Ochaka, Rebecca Odato, Velma Awour, Christine Adhiambo, Lorna Faith, Valerie Nekesa, and Marion Serenge.

Subs: Ephy Awour, Shyril Atieno, Claire Meris, Mitchel Jenevive, Quinter Adhiambo, Linday Atieno, Halima Imbachi, Mitchell Waithera, Joan Ogola, and Diana Onyango

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