The Kenya cricket women's team have set their sights on qualifying for next year's Women's World Cup in Bangladesh.
The team departed on Monday for the World Cup qualifiers in Uganda with captain Esther Wanjiru, fresh from their success in Botswana, where they bagged the division trophy, sounding upbeat about their chances.
“We believe we can fly, and we hope to replicate our Botswana success in Uganda,” she quipped.
Kenya will qualify for next year's Women's World Cup should they finish in the top two from the Africa Zone qualifiers at Kyambogo Cricket grounds in Kampala.
Among the teams battling for the two slots include the host Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Rwanda.
While handing out the flag, Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba urged the team to give it their best shot, observing it has been 12 years since Kenya last flew the flag on the global stage.
“Kenya has been right at the top table of cricket worldwide. This country has brushed shoulders with the very best. In recent years, however, it’s been on a downward spiral. You are the generation that will take us back to where we belong,” the CS asserted.
The sports ministry has fully funded the trip to Kampala and the CS not only wants to see the team at the World Cup but also the sport at large revived.
“I would like to come back to receive the flag, the trophy, and the news of qualification,” the CS challenged the girls.
He wished the team well and urged the players to take advantage of the opportunity to launch their careers further, especially through the Talanta Hela flagship. The team is coached by former national team player Francis Otieno.
