Marion Serenge, a rising star in Kenyan football, has been named the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month (SPOM) for June 2024.
This accolade recognizes her outstanding performance during the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, where she played a pivotal role in propelling the Junior Starlets to a historic achievement as the first Kenyan national football team to qualify for a World Cup.
The team will compete in the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, set to be held in the Dominican Republic in October.
The Junior Starlets began their remarkable campaign at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Ethiopia with a commanding 3-0 victory over Burundi on 9 June.
Lorna Faith opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, followed by Serenge’s goal in the 43rd minute, and substitute Susan Okoth sealed the win in the 71st minute.
In the return leg at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on 16 June, Serenge again shone brightly, netting the opener in the 17th minute. Valerie Nekesa added another goal, resulting in a 5-0 aggregate win and securing the team’s spot in the World Cup.
Dongwon Lee, LG’s Managing Director for East Africa, expressed his confidence that this recognition will inspire Serenge to continue making history for Kenyan football on the global stage.
“Serenge really stood out for Kenya and being among our youngest winners of this award, we know that she will be motivated to work even harder as she and her team go on to represent the country on the global stage,” Lee said.
Serenge, a student at Archbishop Njenga Girls High School, faced stiff competition for the award.
Notable contenders included African champion Alexandra Ndolo, who excelled at the Africa Fencing Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, by defeating Camillia El Kord in the senior women’s epee division.
Junior Starlets teammate Velma Abwire and Captain Elizabeth Ochoka were also among the nominees.
Expressing her excitement, Serenge stated, “I think I am on the right path to fulfill my dreams. It is every footballer’s dream to play in the World Cup in their career. As a team, we were motivated by the fact that no Kenyan football team has ever qualified for the FIFA World Cup. This is an important opportunity, and I am optimistic that scouts from top clubs around the world will follow us in the Dominican Republic. We gave it our best, and now it’s time to introduce Kenyan football to the world.”
Other nominees for the June SPOM included National rugby Sevens team captain Vincent Onyala, who scored a try in every match at the Grand Final in Madrid, Spain, helping Kenya qualify for the World Rugby Sevens Series and the Paris Olympics.
His compatriot, Kevin Wekesa of Kabras Sugar Rugby Club, also impressed the panel.
In athletics, World Championships 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Emmanuel Too were nominated. Wanyonyi ran a personal best of 1:41.70, and Too won a rare decathlon medal at the Africa Championships in Cameroon.
Dennis Esokon of Kenya Prisons and Juliana Namutira of KCB, who helped their teams retain National Volleyball League titles, also caught the panel’s eye.
Other notable nominees included Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla, Kenya Police goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, Posta Rangers forward Patrick Otieno, Zeddy Cheruiyot (Judo), Sarah Wasike (Ulinzi Handball), Jadon Simiyu (Chess U12 African Champion), and Faith Adhiambo (Korean Ambassadors Taekwondo Cup gold winner in Kyorugi in the senior women U46kg category).
SJAK President James Waindi congratulated the nominees and urged sports personalities to keep scaling higher heights, celebrating the growing talent and dedication within Kenya’s vibrant sports community.
