By David Ndolo
Players and technical staff from the inaugural FIFA Women’s Series took time off from the ongoing tournament to experience the splendour of the wild at ahead of the tournament’s decisive closing fixtures.
The trip, facilitated by the (KTB), offered visiting delegations from Australia and Malawi, alongside Kenya’s Harambee Starlets, a direct encounter with Kenya’s natural heritage—blending the energy of sport with a curated showcase of the country’s tourism offering.
Malawi head coach was among those who welcomed the initiative, describing it as a refreshing break from the tournament routine.
“The excursion was a very good experience. Some of our players and group members have never been to a park before, so visiting Nairobi National Park has been very special. We have seen lions and buffaloes, among other animals. Kenya is like Malawi in many ways, and we feel at home here,” Fazili said.
He added that the excursion had lifted the spirits of his squad ahead of their third-place play-off against India on Wednesday.
“It is a must-win game. With the motivation from this trip and the support of the officials travelling with us, we believe we can do better,” he added.
The visit forms part of a growing partnership between KTB and the (FKF), following an agreement signed last year covering joint destination marketing, integration of tourism experiences into sporting events, and the promotion of Kenya as a sports tourism hub.
KTB Chief Executive Officer said the familiarisation trip is part of a broader strategy recognising the role of sport in attracting global audiences and opening new tourism markets.
“Hosting the FIFA Women’s Series is a proud moment for Kenya—not only in the sporting arena but also in the tourism space. A core part of our strategy is introducing delegations of this calibre to a holistic Kenyan experience that goes beyond the playing field. Through such familiarisation trips and other activations, we aim to turn visiting athletes into lifelong ambassadors of Magical Kenya,” she said.
The FIFA Women’s Series is an invitational tournament that brings together national teams from different continental confederations for friendly matches during the FIFA international window. Kenya is hosting one of four groups from April 11 to 15 at , alongside Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, and Thailand.
Sports tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the global travel industry, and Kenya is positioning itself as a premier destination on the back of major events, including the upcoming , which it will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
The FIFA Women’s Series tournament concludes on Wednesday, with Malawi set to face India in the third-place play-off before Kenya’s Harambee Starlets take on Australia’s Matildas in the tournament finale—both fixtures scheduled at Nyayo National Stadium.
