Janet Amunga passionately loves football. She was a striker at Spedag and Mombasa Olympic and after suffering a fatal injury she hang her boots. But that was not the end of her journey on the pitch. She turned to training and pursued a coaching career.
She has attended FKF basic and advanced coaching courses, a UEFA B license course in Germany, and FKF/FIFA course in Mombasa. According to the UEFA website, "UEFA B Diploma, teaches participants age- and ability-specific coaching techniques to develop players at youth through to senior amateur level".
Amunga established Okoa FC in 2016 which she used as a tool for social change.
Read Also:Qatar Residents Warn England Team Against Partying
“I love football and as I grew older I felt the need to do something good for the community. Luckily, I had attended several coaching courses in the past, and therefore forming a team was rather easy on my part.
It’s easy to coach a younger team since all the players care about is having fun and so maintaining the team is not demanding,” She stated
Her club consists of under 15 boys, whom she has coached and led through friendly matches, tournaments, and in the South Coast League.
However, even with the passion for football and the experience that she has accumulated over the years, Amunga reveals that it is not easy for a woman to train boys. It comes with a range of challenges.
“Being a woman coach, it is easier to train girls than training boys. Due to the passion, I have for football I struggle to get the boys to pay attention to what I say,” Amunga remarked.
Throughout her journey, Janet, recalls that a number of people have supported her efforts, including well-wishers and parents especially after noticing how her training improves boys' football skills.
“I am grateful for the support I get from the parents and the community since they have been the backbone of this team.
It is fun developing the raw talent as it certainly gives me the strength to push and someday grow the club into an academy. Some officials have shipped out at some point, but am glad we keep on the fight with the few who have embraced what we do,” she stated in a past media interview.