NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 23 – Former Kenya Police Bullets goalkeeper Valentine Khwaka turned on the fashion, saving two penalties because the ‘Wangari Warriors’ clinched the title on the inaugural ‘Empower Mchezaji’ event staged on the Mashuuru Sports Complex in Kajiado over the weekend.
The Warriors beat Chelagat Chargers 2-1 on spot kicks within the seven-a-side single day extravaganza. They needed to come from a aim right down to pressure the sport to penalties after a 1-1 attract regulation time.
Mathare United ahead Musa Masika’s stinging shot had given the Chargers a 1-0 lead, however Harambee Starlets’ and Simba Queens midfield maestro Corazone Aquino levelled for Warriors proper on the dying with an excellent shot.
The event introduced collectively eight groups, every uniquely named after a number of ladies historical past makers. Wangari Warriors was named after trailblazing Kenyan nobel laureate Wangari Mathai whereas the Chargers have been named after human rights defender Chelagat Mutai.
There was additionally the Kipyegon Strikers named after world report holder Faith Kipyegon, Nyiva Champs named after Kenya’s first ever feminine cupboard Secretary Nyiva Mwendwa, Wanja Waves, named aptly after departed volleyball queen Janet Wanja.
Other groups included the Obiri Starlets, named after athletics queen Hellen Obiri, Karua Queens, named after vocal politician and Kenya’s former minister of Justice Martha Karua in addition to the Orie Rogo Falcons named after politician Orie Rogo Manduli.
The groups have been composed of high feminine footballers from throughout the nation and every had one male participant. Mathare’s Masika, Yanga SC midfielder Duke Abuya was with the Warriors and led them to the title, Former Tusker FC captain Eugene Asike, now in England, Police FC captain David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng and teammates Kenneth Muguna in addition to Jesse Were, Gor Mahia wingback Levin Odhiambo, Mathare United left again Ericson Mulu in addition to Kakamega Homeboyz midfielder Francis Omondi have been all a part of the motion.
The event was based and run by journalist and girls’s soccer advocate Nana Owiti, to assist elevate consciousness on Gender Based Violence.
“Two seasons in the past we had a workforce within the Women’s Premier League known as Gaspo who dropped out on allegations of the coach sleeping with the women and asking for sexual favours from them. I felt there was must amplify this and a necessity to present the women a voice. If this occurs so much within the Premier League, what of the grassroots the place there are literally no methods to guard them,” Owiti informed Capital Sports.
She added; “We had a person in each workforce for allyship. We wanted to inform the boys that this isn’t a gender struggle however they should assist us make our ladies really feel protected. On the return, they have been saying that sure, these are our sisters and we have to shield them.”
The event not solely introduced younger and upcoming gamers from native leagues but additionally Kenyan internationals. Among these current included Simba’s new signing Cynthia Shilwatso, her new teammate Aquino, departing Jentrix Shikangwa, Yanga Princesses’ Lydia ‘Ozil’ Okoth, USA-based Mwanahalima ‘Dogo’ Adam, South Korea based mostly Terry Engesha, Moroccan league high scorer Violet Nanjala, Austria based mostly Sylvia Makungu and India-based Elizabeth Katungwa.
“This is a very good platform for us ladies footballers to hitch palms and lift our voices on the plight of our sport. It can also be an opportunity to work together and study from one another and now that almost all of us are on low season, a chance to maintain match,” Adam stated.
Her sentiments have been shared by Shilwatso who stated; “It is basically nice to satisfy and work together with gamers from totally different backgrounds and totally different set ups. This actually helps us to study from one another and enhance in addition to construct networks.”
Shikangwa stated; “We often simply meet throughout nationwide workforce calls and such however this event actually provided us an opportunity to hyperlink up, have enjoyable and work together. Above all, it helped ship the message that gender violence just isn’t welcome in ladies’s soccer.”
Owiti stated that she hopes for a much bigger and higher second version.
The Mashuuru Sports Foundation (MASFO) was one of many main companions of the occasion and provided the grounds in addition to full board lodging for all of the eight groups. Located deep inside Kajiado County, a four-hour drive from Nairobi, the Complex gives an enormous and distinctive sports activities venue, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the town.
It boasts of a 64-person lodging facility in addition to two full dimension soccer pitches, two basketball and tennis courts in addition to an upcoming health club.
“We are delighted to have partnered this noble initiative and we’re trying ahead to do much more. This is a facility which seems to positively affect sports activities within the nation, and such tournaments provide this avenue,” Victor Muli, the MASFO Director stated.
Other companions within the event included the Erick Ouma Foundation in addition to the Watenya Foundation.
In the event, Khwaka was named finest goalkeeper, ‘Ozil’ Okoth named Most Valuable Player, whereas Aquino was the highest scorer.
