•“There’s a gap, especially in the FKF Women Premier League. My aim here is to acquire as much knowledge as I can and try and help fill this gap,” said Njeri.
•Meanwhile, 30 coaches are currently undertaking a CAF 'C' course at Buruburu in Nairobi.
Image: HANDOUT
Kayole Starlets player Lucy Njeri has encouraged women to venture into coaching.
Njeri is among 30 grassroots coaches who have begun their coaching journey at Kariobangi North Primary School.
She wants to bridge the gap for the lack of women coaches, especially in the FKF Women's Premier League.
“There’s a gap, especially in the FKF Women Premier League. My aim here is to acquire as much knowledge as I can and try and help fill this gap,” said Njeri.
“To all women footballers, be it past or present, the time is now. Take up these courses, get the knowledge and skills and let us help build the women’s game."
Njeri has a rich football journey starting out at Kariobangi Sports, Old is Gold, Makolanders and Soccer Sisters.
The course under the tutelage of Jerim Owuor will run for ten days.
Meanwhile, 30 coaches are currently undertaking a CAF 'C' course at Buruburu in Nairobi.
FKF CEO Barry Otieno said: “Every coach we trained at CAF 'D' level went out to academies, clubs and schools and now we get to move them to the next level. This is what we are really interested in— developing active coaches and raising them to a higher technical level,” said Otieno.
Tusker Youth coach and former international Kenneth Wendo said he is looking forward to developing young players.
“The youth are the future of football. They are the people who will get us to the World Cup but we have to empower them. I am here to get the knowledge that will help me impact the next generation,” he said.
Former Sofapaka player Ronald Okoth and CEO of RO Sports Academy said the course is a perfect opportunity to advance himself and his organisation.
“This is a big moment for me. It’s an opportunity I have wanted since I took my 'D' licence. We were out in the cold for a year, yearning for this knowledge and now we have our chance. We look forward to taking this knowledge back to our academies, clubs and the grassroots,” said Okoth.
Kibera Black Stars coach Evans Omondi, whose team is fourth in the National Super League, said the course provides an opportunity to push his team closer to the FKF Premier League.
“We are playing in the NSL now and if I take whatever I learn here and apply it to my team, I know we will be somewhere,” he said.
The course was opened by FKF Deputy President Doris Petra, who asked the coaches to dedicate themselves to their work.
“Mentor these young players. Pay attention to them on and off the pitch, mould them in a wholistic way," she said.
The course is being conducted by FKF Fifa Instructors Salim Ali and Leonard Odipo and will run until April 14.