Starlets' Kaari lists football lessons Kenya can draw from Tanzania

Harambee Starlets and Yanga Princess left-back Wincate Kaari has challenged club football administrators in Kenya to borrow a leaf from their Tanzanian counterparts, saying the neighbours have taken serious measures to develop the sport.

Kaari says that in Tanzania, unlike Kenya, the welfare of players is given top priority, and that fans are more passionate about local football than European leagues.

According to the former Gaspo Women player, women football in Tanzania has been given more attention compared to Kenya, probably another reason top players have crossed over to Tanzanian clubs.

 ‘’Playing football in Tanzania is lovely. Players are treated like queens and well remunerated in exchange for good results.

“Whenever there is a local match in Tanzania clashing with an English Premier League match more than 80 percent of Tanzanian fans would prefer to watch their home teams. In Kenya, there is a big challenge when it comes to this,’’ she said.

Unlike in Kenya where players mostly cater for their own accommodation, in Tanzania, according to Kaari, all players live in a camp at the expense of the club, and only leave whenever there is an assignment.

Kaari says they are promptly paid at Yanga Princess, a reason they are able to concentrate on the pitch throughout. She regrettably recalls that is a largely contrasting feature with the Kenyan women league.

 ‘’Players are well paid in most Tanzanian clubs, thus no player would wish to ditch a Tanzanian club for any other East African club. I think this will play a key role in taking women football in the country to higher heights,” she noted.

‘’Opportunities are there abroad, but nothing comes on a silver plate. It calls for hard work and dedication to realise such dreams. I believe one day, I will be in Spain for this kind of duty. However, I endeavour to give my all as long as I am at Yanga.’’

She is the only Kenyan at Yanga Princess, compared to Simba Queens which has four Kenyan players including shot stopper Caroline Rufa, Corazone Aquino, Elizabeth Wambui and defender  Ruth Ingotsi.

Kaari who hails from Kathunguri village in Runyenjes – Embu County, first earned a national team call up in 2015 immediately after high school and has been a regular member of the team.

She has in the meantime praised new Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba whom she describes as a “passionate tactician.”

 ‘’I can tell you Harambee Starlets will go places under the guidance of coach Odemba. She knows how to handle situations and how to address any simple mistakes committed by players. All players are happy with Odemba as the head coach,’’ she said, adding she looks forward their final round of WAFCON qualifiers against Botswana after edging out Cameroon.