The Kenya national U17 Women’s team forward Marion Serenge has been feted by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya in conjunction with a leading global electronics brand LG as the Sports Personality of the Month for June, becoming the youngest ever to receive the award.
Marion, 16, had an immense contribution that helped Kenya’s Junior Starlets to seal a world cup ticket, writing history as Kenya’s first ever team to achieve the milestone.
In the four qualifying matches, the form-four student at the Arch Bishop Njenga Girls High School netted two goals for the Mildred Cheche coached side to ensure Kenya’s resounding through pass to the Dominican Republic this October for the FIFA Women’s U17 football show.
She struck once during the first leg encounter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia against Burundi. Lorna Faith and Susan Akoth contributed the other two goals for the vital 3-0 triumph away from home.
Musanga inflected more pain on the hearts of the visiting Burundians at the Ulinzi Sports Complex as she rounded off their defense to score the opening goal in a 2-0 win that confirmed Kenya’s participation at this year’s World Cup.
For exploits in the month of June, Musanga who hails from a footballing family in Kakamega received a personalized trophy and a washing machine.
“It is a great honour to be part of Kenya’s to be here to receive this important award. I would like to thank the sponsors LG and the media fraternity that is the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya for the acknowledgment. This award means a lot to my career and for sure, it is an inspiration. It will motivate me to work extra harder as I endeavor to achieve more,” Musanga told People Sport.
LG’s Managing Director for East Africa Dongwon Lee congratulated Musanga for her achievement and tipped her for more success with the Junior Starlets in the U17 World Cup.
“I find today’s celebration even more exciting for two reasons; first, the person we are awarding is definitely our youngest winner ever. Secondly, she won the award for a performance that helped the country achieve a historical qualification for a football World Cup. Let us recognize that our winner today, Marion Serenge, at her tender age is a model to be emulated. Those who watched her performance in the two qualifiers against Burundi could see her determination and leadership, and we are confident that she will outperform herself in the October World Cup finals. Of course, we know that this achievement was a team effort, and we are hopeful that this award will by extension be a motivator for the entire Junior Starlets.”
Other notable nominees were 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.
World Cup bound Serenge is SJAK’s top athlete for June
