The eight Kenya U17 players who are preparing for their KCSE exams this year have reason to celebrate, as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has put a special plan in place to ensure they can participate in the U17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic without missing their exams.The KCSE exams are scheduled to start on October 18 and run until November 22. Meanwhile, the World Cup will take place from October 18 to November 3. The Junior Starlets will also spend two weeks training in Spain before heading to the Dominican Republic, which means the players will have some key exam dates.##NAJAVA_MECA_8283999##The affected students are Rebecca Odato Orute from Dagoretti Mixed, Velma Awour and Christine Adhiambo from AIC Nyakach Girls, Lorine Illavonga and Velma Bwire from Wiyeta Girls, Quinter Adhiambo from Alara Girls, Clares Meries from Kobala Secondary School, and Marion Serenge from Archbishop Njenga, who had previously declared she would opt out of the exams.Nominated MP Irene Mayaka raised the issue in the National Assembly last month, requesting special exam arrangements for the players. In response, KNEC has confirmed that plans are being made to ensure the eight candidates, who contributed to making history as the first Kenyan team to qualify for a World Cup, will not be adversely affected.“Congratulations to the Kenya U-17 National Women’s Team for an incredible achievement. This is the first time a Kenyan football team has qualified to participate at the highest level of international football. This milestone is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and passion of the State Department for Sports, Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and the entire football team. The philosophy of the great Eliud Kipchoge, ‘No Human is Limited,’ has been affirmed by our gallant girls,” said KNEC CEO David Njegere in a statement.AFC Leopards confirm quartets’ captureHe added that KNEC will coordinate with the six affected schools to ensure that the players can take their exams during the World Cup period. He also noted that Grade 8 students will not be affected as there will be no national assessments for them in October 2024.“The Council will work with the centre managers of the affected schools to arrange for the administration of the KCSE papers that coincide with the World Cup fixtures. Additionally, since there will be no national assessments for Grade 8 in October, the Grade 8 student on the team will not be impacted,” Njegere said.He concluded by encouraging the players to continue preparing for both their exams and the World Cup.He also appealed to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports to ensure that the players return to their schools promptly after the tournament.The Junior Starlets are drawn in Group C of the World Cup, where they will face England, Mexico, and Korea DPR.Bandari FC’s assets facing auction in compensation standoff
