FKF must reduce gap between men's and women's football, says Kisped's Minjis

FKF Women's Premier League (KWPL) side Kisped Queens head coach Daniel Minjis has made a plea to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to ensure the women’s league receives the same attention and support as the men’s league.

Minjis says, the most basic of the balance they want, should start with playing venues.

The tactician pointed out that the men's teams often play in considerably standard stadiums like MISC Kasarani, a privilege that the women’s league rarely enjoys.

“Women also deserve to play in high-quality stadiums, like Kasarani, just as the men do. If the nation is serious about advancing women's football, players must be given access to the same high-quality venues, where all top football related activities can be comfortably done,” Minjis stated.

This call to action comes at a pivotal time for women’s football in Kenya. The country recently made history, with the women’s U-17 national team qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever. 

Minjis asserted that the achievement should serve as a wake-up call for football stakeholders to take women's football more seriously.

“The fact that our women have made history by qualifying for the World Cup is monumental. They deserve more attention and support, not just as a reward for their hard work, but also as a way of encouraging them to keep pushing beyond the boundaries,” he added.

While women’s football in the country has been growing steadily over the years, it still faces significant challenges, from limited funding to inadequate facilities and insufficient media coverage.

Minjis also called for grassroots investment, stressing that there is a lot of untapped talent in the country.

“We need to improve our facilities, invest in youth programs, and create an environment where women’s football can thrive. If we prioritize women’s football, the results will be evident as there is a huge space for improvement,” Minjis said.