Standing up for women's football in Kenya

For many years women in football have suffered many challenges from lack good training facilities, proper management and low media coverage.

In Mathare, Nairobi, Kenya, the women’s team trains every weekend. Kate Syprine Magambo is a successful footballer since training from a young age; she is standing up for women’s football in Kenya.

In Kate's own words
“I started playing in the year 2000 in MYSA’s under 12’s league. When I was 14, I played in the Mathare United women’s senior team and played in the Safaricom Sakata tournament where I was chosen to join the football academy where we formed the Matuu F.C women's football team which later won the women’s premier league.”

Kate was privileged enough to travel to Norway and the Netherlands to play on behalf of the Mathare United Youth Association to represent Kenya. Lack of regular football tournaments and a women’s league leaves Kate playing in local games and tournaments.

Kate tears up as she talks about her experiences. Her team wasn’t recognised after winning the Kenyan national tournament. “The most disappointing thing is that we haven’t been rewarded for winning the league up until now. Communication is important and the federation could communicate on what happened; many women like me would still feel inspired to play to even on greater heights.”

Kate’s coach Isack speaks about her talents and women’s football: “Words can’t explain Kate’s talent, and at the moment women’s football hasn’t been getting the required attention and people in leadership have forgotten grassroots football.

“If the federation could support women’s soccer in Kenya, we stand a big chance of playing in the World cup, because I believe there are many talented women who have been frustrated about how women’s football in Kenya is managed. Playing for the national team is always a great pleasure and listening to the national anthem played before the kick-off really motivates me despite all the challenges whilst this is a rare opportunity for many women in Kenyan soccer”.

Kate is the seventh in a family of eight. She is 23 years old. Her brother speaks about her discipline and passion for the sports, “I lost my mother some years back and my dad is a retired policeman. I love my brother so much and he is the bread winner of the family. He supports my education and in-case I need football boots he always buys for me, and I really feel encouraged by him.

“If the private sector and the media could join hands in promoting and sponsoring women’s soccer, many great players and great leaders would be born. I play football to keep fit and network with other great opportunities in life like education."