Shine, Junior Starlets!

The Kenyan national anthem will ring out proudly today at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco, marking another historic moment for the country.

That moment of immense national pride will come courtesy of the national Under-17 girls’ football team, popularly known as the Junior Starlets, who will face China in a Group E match of the 2026 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Junior Starlets will not only be flying Kenya’s flag on the global stage but also carrying the hopes and dreams of countless young girls aspiring to pursue careers in football.

Even more remarkable is that the team is competing at the prestigious tournament for the second time, having made its debut in 2024 in the Dominican Republic.

Qualifying for the World Cup twice is no mean feat. It is a testament to the immense talent, determination and potential of Kenya’s young female footballers, who continue to defy the odds.

However, their success also exposes a troubling paradox. While female footballers continue to bring honour to the country, the women’s game remains woefully underfunded and inadequately supported.

Women’s football in Kenya continues to grapple with numerous challenges, including inadequate facilities, poor remuneration, limited opportunities for professional development and insufficient media visibility.

The Football Kenya Federation and the government must therefore move beyond celebrating the Junior Starlets’ achievements and invest in structures that can sustain their success.

This means strengthening domestic leagues, improving players’ welfare, developing youth academies and attracting long-term corporate sponsorship. Go! Go! Junior Starlets!

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