Mwendwa defends FKF Women PL prize money

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has defended the Sh. 300,000 FKF Women Premier League prize money, which has drawn heavy criticism among stakeholders.

Champions Thika Queens who won the league title this season after defeating Gaspo Women 3-0 in the playoffs final in Nakuru on June 20, 2021 were given the amount, viewed as too little for the girls.

But in an interview on Royal Media’s Citizen TV on Wednesday, Mwendwa said the federation should instead be lauded for achieving a milestone never accomplished before in the prize money for women league.

“The Sh. 350,000 we gave Thika Queens is a record prize money because before, winners used to be given just water. We really care about the women football and that’s why we used men’s money to award them. We understand it’s not enough but it’s better than nothing,” said Mwendwa.

The president however said they are busy looking for sponsors for women football hoping to increase the funds allocated for the league running.

“As Federation we are looking for able sponsors and I am sure as the women’s football continue to grow, one day we will award the winner Sh. 5 million. I also believe that the same women will qualify for the world cup in 2023,” noted Mwendwa.

“For the women world cup, we are four matches away and that why I insist that we take women football seriously. We have the Pemier League and the lower leagues like Division One and also Regional Leagues. We are really growing,” he added.

Vihiga Queens failed to defend the league title they have won in the last three seasons after suffering a 5-4 defeat to Gaspo in post-match shootouts during the playoffs semifinals at the Nakuru ASK Showground on June 25.