As the Chapa Dimba journey continues to take shape especially in Western Kenya, our article today is about Juliet Atieno who we had a chat with about her team Kingandole Queens who managed to get to the finals in the Busia Chapa Dimba tournament.
Juliet is a teacher at St. Austin Kingandole Secondary School and also the girls’ football coach with the assistance of Alex Wanyonyi and unwavering support from the schools principal. Kingandole queens was established in 2019 and rose impressively fast, only to be interrupted by Covid19. The team bounced back in 2021 albeit without some members who had finished school, but that was part of expected challenges. By 2022 the management had established a fresh team who managed to reach county level in secondary school competitions. Kingandole has its share of challenges, top among them being equipment, training kids, shoes, and balls.
This year, Safaricom Chapa Dimba came calling and Juliet and team were motivated to register since they already had a team ready, and Chapa Dimba is a good platform for getting into competitive football and improving their craft. Juliet feels that the effect of Chapa Dimba will be felt highly especially because winning players and teams are not being left empty handed, and monetary prizes will translate into school fees and football equipment that many could not afford.
How are parents taking their girls’ involvement in football?
Very positively. Parents are aware that football does not compromise their daughters’ education and are happy to release their girls to go for practice. They can see how football is positively shaping their girls and even putting money in their pockets for the winners.
To girls who are talented in football or curious about it, Juliet says go for it. Football is shining much more now than in past years and there is money to be made. There are many different tournaments, and Safaricom Chapa Dimba is at people’s backyards scouting for talent. Try at whatever level you are comfortable with. In these internet days, taking a video and sharing it online could change your life forever since someone could spot your talent.
A great example of the power of football within her team is Esther Atieno who’s football star has shone bright since she was in primary school. Ester was actually in Nairobi at the time of the interview after being scouted as an outstanding player. As early as primary school, she already managed to play an East African Tournament.
To Safaricom, she would like to voice her appreciation for stepping up for the youth with Safaricom Chapa Dimba. She would request that they consider other programs as well.
