- Kericho Day Secondary School becomes the first girls’ football team from Kericho County to qualify for the Rift Valley Regional Games.
- The team finishes third despite inadequate training facilities, sports equipment, and financial support.
- Coach Drusilla Chepkemoi Memo calls for support to help the players realise their full potential.
Kericho Day Secondary School has become the first secondary school from Kericho County to qualify for the Rift Valley Regional Games in girls’ football.
The team achieved the milestone after finishing an impressive third despite limited training facilities, sports equipment, and financial support.
The all-girls side defied the odds in its maiden appearance at the regional championships held in Narok County from July 7 to 11, competing against some of the region’s football powerhouses, including eventual champions St. Joseph’s Girls High School, Kitale, and defending champions Nasokol Girls High School from West Pokot County.
Addressing the press, the team’s lead coach and football referee, Drusilla Chepkemoi Memo, praised the players for their determination and resilience throughout the tournament.
“The weather was very hot and the playing fields were dusty, but the girls gave their all. We beat St. Teresa Girls High School from Kitale 5-0 before drawing 0-0 against Itigo Girls Secondary School from Nandi County and winning 7-0 on penalties to reach the semi-finals,” said Memo.
“Although we eventually finished third, the girls displayed great resilience and determination throughout the tournament.”
Memo said the team’s remarkable achievement had been realised despite operating with inadequate footballs, playing kits, and training uniforms.
“These players have proved they can compete with the best despite limited resources. With proper equipment, they can go even further and inspire many more young girls to pursue football. We need footballs, playing kits, and support for meals during training sessions held over the school holidays and mid-term breaks so that the girls can continue pursuing their dream,” she said.
A dream born in 2024
She revealed that the idea of establishing the girls’ football team emerged in April 2024 after several students approached her during football coaching sessions for teachers at the school grounds, expressing interest in learning the sport.
With the consent of their parents, the students began training under Memo, who also serves as a Kenya Premier League female referee in the South Rift region.
The team started with only 18 girls, fewer than 10 of whom had ever played football.
“Through consistent training, the girls have turned into competent goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and strikers, notwithstanding that many of them had little or no prior experience in the sport. Currently, my 25-member squad has three goalkeepers, six midfielders, eight strikers, and eight defenders,” she said.
Memo said the players train twice a week after classes and continue practising during school holidays and mid-term breaks.
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Looking ahead, she said several players had been shortlisted for the Under-15 pre-selection camps ahead of the CAF African Schools Football Championships.
By Kimutai Langat
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