Kenya U17's girls' coach Fred Serenge emphasised the importance of nurturing young talent following Kenya's exemplary show during their debut at the ISF football World Cup in China.
Kenya finished runners-up at the global bonanza after falling 6-4 on post-match spot-kicks against the hosts. Serenge said his squad rose to the occasion despite playing against top nations.
"Our performance is a tip of what we can achieve with proper investment and structures," Serenge said.
He attributed the performance to the pivotal role played by the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association in developing young talent across the nation. "KSSSA has been crucial in nurturing these girls. We need more programs like this to tap into young talent," he added.
Kenya were in Group 'D' alongside England, Germany, and Ghana. They topped their group with seven points after defeating England 2-1, edging Germany 1-0, and drawing 2-2 with Ghana. The semi-final saw Kenya upset football powerhouse Brazil 3-1.
"Beating Brazil was a great motivation for the girls. It was a dominant display," Serenge noted.
In the final, Kenya played hosts China in a match that ended 1-1, forcing a penalty shootout where Kenya lost 6-4. Serenge commended the team's performance, emphasising the valuable experience gained.
"I congratulate the team for their performance in China. The experience will be crucial for their football careers," he said.
Serenge also highlighted the team's underdog status and their impressive rise through a tough group featuring football giants.
He thanked the government and the Ministry of Sports for the support that enabled their participation. "We are grateful for the support from the government and Sports Ministry. This experience will stay with the girls forever," he remarked.
He also noted that the fans should expect an even greater showing in the next tournament. “Next time we take part in the championships, Kenyans should expect the title.”
On the driving seat towards Kenya's heroic journey was skipper Vidah Okeyo who noted that they were determined to win the overall title.
"It was a tough competition. We were confident we would clinch the crown but luck was not on our side," Okeyo noted.
The prolific central defender termed their outing in China as epic and a great eye-opener. "Our performance was remarkable and we gained so much experience."
