Naema Celestine 
FLORENCE SIMIYU
Marion Serenge, a trailblazing young athlete, was awarded the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month for June 2024 due to her exceptional performance in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Her efforts in the crucial matches against Burundi led the Junior Starlets to become the first Kenyan national football team to qualify for a World Cup, securing a spot in the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic in October.
The Junior Starlets began their successful campaign with a 3-0 victory over Burundi at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Ethiopia on June 9, with goals from Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge, and Susan Okoth. In the second leg at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on June 16, Serenge and Valerie Nekesa scored, leading to a 5-0 aggregate win and World Cup qualification.
LG’s Managing Director for East Africa, Dongwon Lee, praised Serenge’s standout performance and expressed confidence that the SPOM award would inspire her to continue making history for Team Kenya on the global stage.
Serenge, a student at Archbishop Njenga Girls High School, faced strong competition for the award from notable athletes including African champion Alexandra Ndolo, who excelled at the Africa Fencing Championships, and Junior Starlets teammates Velma Abwire and Captain Elizabeth Ochoka.
Expressing her excitement, Serenge said she believes she is on the right path to achieving her dreams and hopes scouts from top clubs worldwide will take notice in the Dominican Republic.
Other nominees included National rugby Sevens team captain Vincent Onyala, Kevin Wekesa of Kabras Sugar Rugby Club, World Championships 800m silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Emmanuel Too, Dennis Esokon of Kenya Prisons, Juliana Namutira of KCB, Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla, Kenya Police goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, Posta Rangers forward Patrick Otieno, Zeddy Cheruiyot (Judo), Sarah Wasike (Ulinzi Handball), Jadon Simiyu (U12 African Chess Champion), and Faith Adhiambo (Korean Ambassadors Taekwondo Cup gold winner in the senior women U46kg category).
SJAK President James Waindi congratulated the nominees and encouraged all sports personalities to continue striving for greater achievements.
