- The tournament was to be held this week
- It has been previously postponed twice
- The team has been in camp for the last one month
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has made the decision to call off the Junior Starlets Camp, which was intended to prepare the talented young footballers for the CECAFA Under 18 Championship.
This decision has been made due to the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the tournaments’ scheduling.
“FKF has always prioritized the development and growth of our young footballers, and the Junior Starlets team was an essential part of our commitment to nurturing talent and providing opportunities for our youth,” the Federation said in a statement.
They added; “The Federation acknowledges the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices made by the players and coaching staff throughout the preparation period.”
The team, which has been in camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, since June 8, 2023, held their last training session on Thursday with a friendly match against Mathare United Women. The players and the technical staff were released from camp on Friday.
Gratitude to Ministry of Sports
“FKF wishes to extend its gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Arts and Sports, and the Ministry of Education for their commitment and efforts granted towards the team as it prepared for the tournament,” the Federation noted.
The tournament has been postponed twice before, with CECAFA citing difficulty in securing funding. It now remains unclear whether the other CECAFA tournaments, including the men’s Under-20 and the Undr-23 will be held.
The last few years have seen a dwindling fortune in CECAFA tournaments, which always acted as a huge platform for the national team.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat had hoped to use the CECAFA Under-23 tournament later on this year to try and build a team for the qualifiers of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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