Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) Vice President Teresa Ouko is currently midway through a coveted FIFA Master Course at the SDA Bocconi School of management in Milan, one of the three mandatory schools eligible for FIFA Master certification.The courses, combining academic theory and experimental field visit programs, have been taught year in year out by a team from the International Center of Sport History and Culture (ICHSC).Here, the history of the discipline-amongst an array of topical issues and challenges facing the sport- are studied.How coach Godfrey “Solo” Oduor was arrested amidst financial dispute with FKFOuko, who already has a solid background in journalism, reveals what influenced her to further her studies.‘’I have a lot of friends who have been in the program and seeing how they have turned out, I was inspired to apply for a chance to rise to their level. They exhibit a sound knowledge of the roles they occupy in the football world and it’s always nice to see professionals at the peak of their abilities,’’ says Ouko who took office at KEFWA in June last year.Born a natural leader herself, and having captained all the teams she has played for during her playing days, Ouko’s vision for the women’s game seems broad and in the long-term. She admits that just being a former footballer is not enough.##NAJAVA_MECA_7805744##‘’I represent thousands of girl/women footballers at KEFWA and I quite never stop learning. I intend to be more of an expert on matters beyond the football field. From advocacy, strategy, fundraising, image rights et cetera. This FIFA Master Course will guide me in that direction,’’ she continues.She completed the first module of the course at De Montfort University in Leicester, an institution voted as the best in post-graduate sports management course in Europe for a record 11th time. Ouko now aims to finish the second module at Milan before winding it all up in Switzerland.‘’After Bocconi, we are set to go to Switzerland for the final part at the Universite de Neuchatel. I will have finished the entire course from there God-willing,’’ says Ouko who is also a board member at FIFPRO Africa.A psychologist and a campaigner for maternity rights in women’s football, Ouko- already with half a dozen feathers to her hat, is sure going to add another one soon.Capped 43 times with the Harambee Starlets, and at a very dark time for the country’s football in general, Ouko’s pursuit of the intellectual capacity to positively influence the women’s game is unrivaled. It should be emulated- if not at least celebrated.Ochieng optimistic about KCB’s title chances
