Women footballers urged to think beyond sport as Kefwa awards the best
By Gibo.Zachary, December 16, 2021
Women footballers have been encouraged to embrace second careers after hanging boots.
Speaking during the inaugural Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) 11 Gala Awards, Alice Njuguna (Zetech University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academics, and students affairs), Grace Kiraguru (chairperson global movement in Kenya), sports lawyer David Majani, Patricia Mutheu (former Harambee Starlets player, and current MCA of Mlango Kubwa Ward), all lauded Kefwa for the initiative, saying the initiative will a long way in encouraging women footballers to take up other careers after retiring from active football.
They said it was disappointing to see very talented women footballers languish in poverty after football, simply because they did not think about future careers and numerous opportunities associated with sports, encouraging Kefwa to continue with the initiative to ensure that the message to every stakeholder, pledging to support Kefwa to actualise the dream.
“I’m happy to see women being recognised in sports and I want to say that beyond sports, you can be something else. You can be an entrepreneur, you can be a sports marketer, you can be a journalist, you can go to school. Equip yourself with the tools that are required to empower you as a woman. KEFWA this is a beautiful beginning,” Grace Kiraguri, chairperson Global Sports Mentoring Program in Kenya said.
Awards
In the awards, Mwanahalima Jereko ‘Dogo’ Adam (pictured) – Thika Queens (Now in Turkey) was crowned the best right forward. ‘Dogo’ had before the awards emerged as the 2020-2021 Women Premier League (WPL) Most Valuable Player (MVP), league top scorer, and also the first player to be awarded KEFWA Monthly Awards for December 2020.
The best goalkeeper of the season went to former teammate Monica Karambu (Thika Queens) with Vivian Nasaka of Vihiga Queens emerging as the best right-back as Wincate Kaari (Thika Queens) emerged as the best left-back and Juliet Andibo – Kayole Starlet (Now at Thika Queens) awarded the best-left centre back.
Experienced Dorcas Shikobe – Thika Queens (Now in Cyprus) was crowned the best right center-back, Sheryl Angachi – Gaspo (Now at Ulinzi Starlets) winning the best defensive midfielder, Rael Kamanda – Makolanders (Now Zetech Sparks) emerging the best right midfielder with Lydia Waganda – Thika Queens winning the left midfielder position while Neddy Atieno – Ulinzi Starlets emerged best left forward as Terry Engesha – Vihiga Queens emerged the best center-forward with Tabaka Chacha scooping the president award.