President William Ruto has promised that Kenya’s women’s national football teams will finally get the exact same financial backing and support as the men’s side.

Ruto made the commitment while hosting both the under-17 Junior Starlets and the senior Harambee Starlets for breakfast at State House. After the players and coaching staff made a direct appeal for help, Ruto promised that the government would step up and clear away any money issues or off-pitch distractions so the teams can focus entirely on their games.

The promise comes at a massive moment for women’s sports in the country. The Junior Starlets recently made history by booking a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Morocco, putting on a show with a 5-1 win over South Africa. At the same time, the senior Harambee Starlets are celebrating their own qualification for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

It is going to be a tough road ahead for the under-17 squad when the World Cup kicks off in October. They have been drawn into a brutal Group E alongside global powerhouses United States and China, as well as Samoa. But Ruto urged the team to think big, telling them they have earned their spot on the world stage and can go head-to-head with the best of them.

–ChanneAfrica–