Kirinyaga: Kirinyaga County has launched its first-ever women's football league tournament, featuring six teams from their four constituencies. Speaking during the launch, Kirinyaga County Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chairman Denis Murimi said the league winner will advance to the Central Region Playoffs featuring top teams from Nyeri, Laikipia, Murang'a, and Kiambu counties.
According to Kenya News Agency, Murimi acknowledged the challenges in organizing the inaugural league including high affiliation fees, Football Kenya Federation registration fees, and a shortage of sports kits that limited teams' participation. 'Being the first of its kind in the county, we are faced with a myriad of challenges. Nonetheless, this is a great start. We hope more stakeholders will come on board to support women's football, which has often been sidelined compared to men's teams,' he stated.
At the same time, the Director noted that most women's football players are under parental supervision, some of whom may not understand the whole idea, hence the need for more sensitization to encourage parents to view sports as an investment.
The event was graced by Kenya Seeds Company Chairperson Wangui Ngirici, who hailed the launch as a significant step forward for women's sports in the region. Additionally, she donated uniforms and footballs to the participating teams and proposed the formation of a countywide women's club dubbed the Kirinyaga Starlets to nurture female football talent. 'This initiative will open doors for many young girls to explore their potential in sports. It's time we give women's football the support it truly deserves,' said Ngirici.
The launch has sparked excitement among players and sports enthusiasts, marking a new era in Kirinyaga's women's football.