FKF explain why Harambee Starlets will miss 2024 Olympic qualifiers

Photo Credit: Chris Omollo

FOOTBALL FKF explain why Harambee Starlets will miss 2024 Olympic qualifiers

Mark Kinyanjui 13:20 - 29.05.2023

FKF have quashed rumors saying that the team had insufficient funds to prepare the team for the qualifiers.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has explained why the national women’s team, Harambee Starlets will not be taking part in the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games.

In a statement seen by Pulse Sports, FKF cited the ban imposed on Kenyan football throughout 2022 as the reason they did not confirm the team’s engagement in the qualifiers.

The statement read: “FKF has noted reports suggesting that the Kenya National Women Football team Harambee Starlets has been withdrawn from the Olympics Qualifiers due to lack of funds and wishes to clarify as follows:

“On April 11, 2022, FKF received a circular from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) requiring Member Associations to confirm engagement of their national teams in the aforementioned Olympics Qualifiers before the deadline set on April 29, 2022.

"Owing to Kenya's suspension by World Governing body FIFA at the time, the Federation could not confirm participation of the Harambee Starlets in the qualifiers.

“FKF, nonetheless, remains committed to seeking potential opponents to keep the Starlets engaged in the upcoming international windows in anticipation for future CECAFA, CAF and FIFA assignments.”

In November 2021, FIFA banned Kenya from taking part in international football activities due to government interference after the then Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed disbanded FKF on grounds of misappropriation of public funds. 

It was until November 2022 that the new incumbent Ababu Namwamba reinstated the committee into office that FIFA lifted the suspension.

Stars have never taken part in the Olympic Games. Their dream of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 were dealt a huge blow as they lost by a solitary goal to Zambia in the final qualifying rounds.