Adhiambo frustrated after cancellation of CECAFA tourney

Ulinzi Starlets striker Fasila Adhiambo is gutted following the indefinite postponement of  CECAFA Under-18 girls tournament that was set to kickoff on Saturday July 1 in Nairobi.

The Kenya national team Junior Starlets has been in the camp from June 8, preparing for the tournament that has since been postponed.

They closed the camp after a friendly match against Mathare United Women on Thursday June 29.

Soon after the match, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced that the Kenya the team would break camp Friday, confirming that the tournament may not happen at all.

“Football Kenya Federation deeply regrets to announce the calling off, of the Junior Starlets Camp, which was intended to prepare our talented young footballers for the CECAFA U-18 tournament. 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 acknowledges the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices made by the players and coaching staff throughout the preparation period.

“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,” read part of the FKF statement.

In an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital Adhiambo said the move has demoralized them since they were eager to play against the tough teams in the region.

“As players are frustrated as we were yearning to play other national teams in the region but now see what has happened. The FKF CEO (Barry Otieno) visited and sais we will have to break camp as the tournament may not happen. The reason given is that it was to happen in conjunction with term two secondary school ball games and being that most players are still in school,  it would interfere with the championship.

"We were however told that we may be called up again for the Under-17 World Cup qualifiers in December. I feel like we have lost our time and energy, but again it’s not the end of the world,” an emotional Adhiambo lamented.

The tournament was initially scheduled to kick off on Saturday, June 24, but was pushed forward to June 30 before the latest move.