Junior Starlets midfielder Marion wins June’s Sports Personality

Emerging Starlets midfielder Marion Serenge has been named the LG/ SJAK Sports Personality of the month of June.

This follows her great performances in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Her efforts in the decisive two-leg match against Burundi saw the Kenyan beauties become the first Kenyan national team to qualify for a World Cup, with a 5-0 aggregate score.

Starlets who got a bye to the third round after DC Congo withdrew from the qualifiers started their journey journey started with a 0-0 draw against Ethiopia in in the third round at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 10th May 2024.

This was followed by a 3-0 triumph at the Ulinzi Sports Complex a week later.

Next came Burindi who fell 3-0 in the first leg on 7th June in Addis Ababa, before Starlets rounded up with a 2-0 victory at the Ulinzi complex on June 16th

In the second leg,  Serenge was instrumental in scoring the opener after 17 minutes before Valerie Nekesa doubled the scores.  

In winning the June trophy, Serenge will be more motivated to participate well in the world up.

“I would like to thank my coaches, teammates and all our fans for the support, without them I would have won the award and Starlets wouldn’t have qualified for the World Cup,” said Serenge.

Serenge who is the youngest athlete to ever win the award, carried home a customized trophy and an LG washing machine.

The Form Four student at Archbishop Njenga Girls High School beat African champion Alexandra Ndolo, among other nominees for the monthly award.

Ndolo had an impeccable performance at the Africa Fencing Championships in Casablanca, Morocco where she won gold in the senior women’s division on June 7th 2024.

Junior Starlets goalkeeper Velma Abwire,  Shujaa team captain Vincent Onyala,  world 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla, Kenya Police goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, Zeddy Cheruiyot and Sarah Wasike, were also nominated.

Serenge comes from a footballing family comprising his father Fred Serenge coach and former Kenya international and his elder brother Kevin Amwayi Kakamega Homeboyz winger.

“I think I am on the right path to fulfil my dreams. It is every footballer’s dream to play in the World Cup. After consoling my parents, I would choose the World Cup over KCSE exams which will coincide with the tournament, it is a once in a lifetime event, while I can do special exams even next year.”

Starlets led by head coach Mildred Cheche will face Korea DPR, Mexico, and England from October 16th to November 3rd in the Dominican Republic.

Marion's father Fred Serenge appealed to the government through the education ministry, to ensure the nine girls who are sitting their exams are given remedial classes and special exams, to ensure they represent the country in the tournament.

Meanwhile, SJAK President James Waindi congratulated the nominees and urged sports personalities to keep scaling higher heights.