Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has promised to pay for air tickets for two Harambee Starlet girls after claims of exclusion from the World Cup Squad.
Sports journalist Carol Radull revealed on Tuesday, September 17, that Murkomen had called her and informed her that he would pay for two girls to travel to the World Cup.
According to Radull, the Sports CS told her that the two girls would join the Harambee Starlets’ traveling team as supporters, in order to motivate them.
Additionally, Murkomen told Radull that he would communicate with the school management about their absence from school during the World Cup period.
Moreover, the Sports CS told the journalist that he would also reach out to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barry Omondi to also look into their traveling logistics.
It is reported that the two junior starlets were excluded from the National Team after their form dropped.
Earlier on the two junior starlets were part of the 12 girls who had been selected to represent the country by National Team scouts following their brilliant display of performance in the National Schools games that were held in Kisii county last month.
Also read: Ababu Namwamba Lists His Achievements as Sports CS After Being Fired
Radull on the two girls’ exclusion
According to the veteran sports journalist, the two girls had helped the national team qualify for the World Cup but were still dropped. She understands, however, that the coach needs a formidable team to represent the country.
“Two of the 12 have been selected to represent Kenya as Head Coach Mildred Cheche needs the strongest possible side going to the Dominican Republic. This all makes perfect sense; to carry your best possible side regardless of who helped you qualify. All National Teams do that,” Radull said.
Also read: Harambee Stars Stuck in Johannesburg
Hower Radull raised various concerns following the girls’ dismissal.
She said the FKF would have communicated earlier to the girls about their intention to not travel with them.
Radull also said that the federation would have given constant updates and explanations to the girls’ parents since the girls are still teenagers.
Radull’s Comments on the girl’s exclusion
At the same time, Radull criticized the former Sports CS, Ababu Namwamba for promising the two junior starlets that the national team would not be disintegrated as alleged by a parent who attended a dinner invite by Ababu where he made the promise.
“From the day they qualified the emphasis should have been put on the girls maintaining top form to keep their place on the team,” Radull highlighted.
The Harambee Starlets made history by qualifying for their first Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) under 17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Burundi with a 5- 0 aggregate victory.
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