FKF CEO Barry Otieno has asked football stakeholders to be patient, as they strike a deal with the Ministry of Education that will see Emerging Starlets sit their KCSE exams and play in the upcoming 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
The tournament set for the Dominican Republic on, 16th October 2024 - 3rd November 2024 will coincide with the Kenya Secondary Schools Education (KCSE), which starts on 23 October 2024 and concludes on 24th Nov 2024.
Speaking to the Star newspaper exclusively, Otieno confirmed talks are ongoing positively to ensure the grey area is ironed out.
“We are engaging Senior Ministry of Education officials and Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) on the same. We are eyeing remedial classes, and the possibility of sitting special exams after the World Cup.” Said Barry.
Barry who was overseeing the Fifa football for schools and women empowerment clinics in Embu over the weekend, believes they are on the right track and expect positive news before they hit camp on 16th August.
The team made history by becoming the first-ever Kenyan football team to qualify for the World Cup with a 5-0 aggregate victory over Burundi in the fourth round on Sunday 16th June, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, before breaking camp.
The girls have one friendly match lined up locally before they head for another training camp in Spain.
Barry says they have to start preparations early in order to beat the Fifa September 10th deadline for handing over the provisional squads.
He also revealed that six nations participating in the tournament including the other two African representatives Nigerian and Zambia will camp in Spain because the weather is similar to the Dominican Republic.
FKF is planning at least two friendly matches in Spain against fellow competitors, before leaving the Iberian Nation for the Dominican Republic on October 1st.
“The Dominican Republic is six hours ahead of Kenya, and arriving there early will ensure they adapt to the different time zones and acclimatize to the environment, before kickoff,” Added the experienced football administrator.
Meanwhile, head coach Mildred Cheche hopes the government will ensure they have a full-strength squad.
“During the qualifiers, we stayed in camp for two months, with teachers offering remedial classes to ensure the girls didn’t lose touch with books. Hopefully, the government will support our quest, and also ensure special exams are administered,” said Cheche.
Arch Bishop Njenga girl’s midfielder Marion Serenge, who was voted the June Sports Journalists Association personality of the month (SJAK) is among the candidates.
“After consulting with my parents, I would choose the World Cup over exams, since the event is once in a lifetime, while exams can be done even next year,” Said Serenge
Other candidates are Ilavonga Lorine and Velma Abwire of Wiyeta Girls, Velma Awour of Nyakach Girls, Quinter Odiwour from St Alfreda Alara Mixed, Christine Adhiambo of Nyakach Secondary, Clare Merie from Kobala Secondary and Rebecca Odato of Dagoretti Mixed.
"It is every player's dream to feature in the World Cup, and we are working around the clock, to ensure our girl's preparations are smooth and we get the best out of them," said Barry who takes pride in being the first ever Kenyan FKF CEO to send a football team to the world cup.
The debutants will open their fixtures against England on 18th October, before battling Korean Republic two days later.
They will conclude their Group C fixtures against Mexico on 24th October 2024.
Spain are the defending champions of the 8th edition that has 16 teams battling for silverware.