By Bonface Osano Kisumu All Starlets opening two fixtures of last season saw them soak in a whopping eleven goals without a reply.It was a telling sign of what was lying ahead for the only premier league side, both men and women, in the vast Kisumu County, which boasts numerous sporting talents.In a season marked with countless walkovers as teams grappled with tough economic times, Starlets managed to stay afloat, surviving relegation by a whisker on the last day of the season after edging out Kayole Starlets 1-0 in an ill-tempered game, which never ended.A subsequent ruling on the happenings of the day at Stima Club, Nairobi by the FKF Transition Committee affirmed the win and Kisumu All Starlets’ life in the top-flight the following season, while Kayole got relegated.”We had no sponsorship for the club or partners so by the time we were starting the league, if not for the government bailout, we did not have any funds,” Team Manager, Beryl Akinyi told Mozzart Sport, With no financial incentives to offer, players did not take training seriously with preseason, a critical part of getting ready for a new league season, the most affected.Kenyan teenager scores brace for Chelsea##NAJAVA_MECA_6580685##”We started the season with no proper preparation, and this was bound to reflect on our earlier performances,” said head coach, George Andula.The league break due to the COVID-19 pandemic only made things worse for the team with a number of players succumbing to early pregnancies among them, four dependable players.”We lost players to other teams, but some were also blessed to be mothers. One has returned, while others are still raising their young ones,” said Beryl.As a policy, and being a community club, Kisumu All Starlets doors remain open to such players, who wants a second stab at the beautiful game after becoming mothers.The club did not rest following the relegation miss – immediately embarking on early preseason as they sought to exorcise the ghosts of the past.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Notwithstanding the popular belief that Starlets get financial support from the County Government of Kisumu like the National Super League side Kisumu All Stars, Beryl clarified that the only support extended to them by the government is free training and playing ground at the Moi Stadium.She is appealing to the corporate world to come to their aid and help them nurture talent in the region and keep girls away from soil ills.”We have partnered with YMCA, and our girls are able to take short courses like IT there even as they pursue their football dreams.I believe that with more support from the community and corporate bodies we can do more.” She concluded.
