Edgar Kore 
In a display of unwavering ambition, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has expressed his keen desire for the Rising Starlets to transcend their current standing and secure qualification for the prestigious 2024 Women’s Under-20 World Cup, slated to take place in Colombia.
This optimism follows a stunning performance by the Rising Starlets in the initial leg of the World Cup qualifiers against Angola, a spectacle hosted at the Nyayo Stadium this past Sunday.
Exhibiting remarkable prowess, the Rising Starlets triumphed over Angola with an impressive 6-1 victory. Valarie Nekesa emerged as the standout player, showcasing a masterful hat-trick. Adding to the glory, Charity Midewo delivered a powerful brace, while Faith Naliaka concluded the Starlets’ exceptional performance with a sublime goal. Post-match, Ababu Namwamba acknowledged the girls’ outstanding efforts by awarding them a total of Sh300,000. He also encouraged them to maintain their winning streak in the return leg, further propelling their journey towards the World Cup. The U-20 World Cup is on the horizon, set to unfold in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024, featuring an expanded roster of 24 teams, a substantial increase from the original 16.
The CS underscored the government’s deliberate commitment to fostering and nurturing talent among the youth, emphasising the ‘Talanta Hela’ initiative. This initiative seeks to honour and support athletes across all sporting domains, encouraging growth and development. Looking ahead, the Starlets are now preparing for their trip to Luanda for the return leg on October 14, well aware that avoiding a defeat of more than five goals will secure their place in the penultimate qualification round.
Should they succeed in qualifying, their next challenge will be taking on the victorious team between Cameroon and Botswana, marking a crucial step in their journey later this year. Stay tuned for more updates on this riveting journey towards the pinnacle of women’s youth football.
