During the graduation ceremony of CAF A licensed coaches at the Institute of Special Education, Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba expressed her belief that increased participation of women coaches in training programs will elevate the performance of women’s clubs in Kenya to continental success.
Odemba emphasized the positive impact of the training on her team and encouraged more women coaches to pursue similar opportunities.
“As a club coach, you can easily tell, I have learned a lot and it’s impacting the team and we are doing well.
“I’m glad that we also had women premier league coaches in the course which means 3 or 4 teams are doing well, other coaches have done their (CAF) B licenses while others have done C, so slowly if we embrace these licenses and learn as women teams’ coaches, shortly we are going to hit the headlines in the champions league,” Odemba commented after the ceremony.
The six-month training program, which commenced on October 16, 2023, and concluded on April 12, 2024, culminated in a graduation ceremony.
Out of the 25 coaches who enrolled, 18 successfully met the criteria for licensing, while five did not achieve the pass mark. Additionally, two coaches were ineligible for licensing due to insufficient class attendance.
Those who did not obtain their licenses have been granted a six-month grace period to fulfill requirements for completion. The training, facilitated by Salim Ali and Francis Kimanzi, covered various essential areas such as Match Analysis, Session Management, Performance Improvement, Meeting Players’ Needs, and Communication.
Moreover, the modules delved into subjects like physiology, anatomy, laws of the game, doping, leadership, and management. The comprehensive training ensured that the coaches acquired the requisite skills and knowledge for their roles.
FKF President Nick Mwendwa emphasized the significance of this accomplishment during the graduation ceremony.
“As a Federation, we remain committed to the development of football at all levels. Our investment in the capacity building of coaches across all levels is not just a milestone; it’s a testament to our dedication to the growth and success of Kenyan football,” Mwendwa said.
