Women’s Deaflympics football team eager to show the world what they are made of
National women’s deaf football captain Emily Adhiambo says qualifying for the 24th Deaflympics in Brazil has already triggered interest in their welfare and will ultimately attract more investment.
Adhiambo said the team has been working hard in training and were determined to hoist the flag high during the qualifiers, but with their opponents not turning up, they have secured a direct ticket to the Games.
Kenya’s opponents Uganda, Rwanda and Zanzibar did not show up for the the ball Games that started on September 11-25 in Nairobi.
“We were and still are all motivated because qualifying for the Deaflympics in Brazil next year was our target.
Now It’s a great feeling to participate in the championships as a host nation. We are happy to have punched the ticket,” said Adhiambo.
The skipper bemoaned the neglect of sportspersons living with disabilities and believes a great in Brazil will vindicate their limitless potential.
“Many people have never seen or witnessed the deaf players in action. It is unfortunate that our opponents did not turn up. Even that, I want to laud the unity in the team makes us strong.
These players are really passionate about what they are doing and are hungry for success,” she said.
One source of inspiration for the ladies are their Harambee Starlets counterparts who have been doing the country proud, winning the Cecafa Senior Challenge in 2019 in their latest exploit.
“We have been somehow inspired by Harambee Starlets performances especially their Cecafa title triumph in 2019,” Adhiambo said.
Echoing the words of his captain, assistant head coach Ken Kafedhi said the team can go places if only there are structured leagues from which to select players from.
“It wasn’t easy to select the team because we don’t have structured leagues for the deaf in the country.
But we thank the national office for making it possible by organising trials across the country.
Once we have structured competitions, the results will just come in,” he said.
The tactician plans to maximise on the ladies’ strength and ride on the wave of optimism in the camp to reap positive results now as they embark on Brazil preps.
“We have quite a number of talented players in the team and I’m confident they will do well.
The morale in camp is high and I believe the girls will produce positive results,” Kafedhi said.
