By Oliver Ochieng
The family of the national soccer women’s U20 team, the Rising Starlets captain Jane Hato is in agony, following her disappearance under unclear circumstances.
The Police Bullets FC midfielder reportedly went missing last night under unclear circumstances.
Reports indicate that her last known location was around the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Nairobi, when her phone went off.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in a statement said Jane Hato was expected to join her Kenya Police Bullets FC teammates for the journey to Ethiopia for the Confederations of African Football (CAF) women’s champions league zonal qualifiers.
However, she did not arrive at the designated meeting point.
“Urgent Appeal. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of U20 Rising Starlets captain Jane Hato please contact your nearest police station, her family (0710322573) or Jectan from FKF (0727382466),” the football governing body appealed on social media.
Her Kenya Police Bullets FC team also shared a similar appeal.
“We regret to inform the public that Jane Hato, a player on our team, has been reported missing since yesterday. We were initially hopeful that it was a minor delay, but the situation has now become serious.”
“We urgently request anyone who has information about Jane Hato's whereabouts to contact the nearest police station immediately. Your assistance in helping us locate Jane is greatly appreciated.”
The midfielder was among 24 Kenya Police Bullets FC players expected to travel to Ethiopia.
Her teammates safely travelled, and are looking forward to the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA zonal qualifiers, to be played from August 17 to September 4, 2024.
2024 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA zonal qualifiers pools:
Group A: CBE Women FC, Warrior Queens, Kenya Police Bullets, Yei Joint Stars
Group B: Simba Queens, Kawempe Muslim, PVP Buyenzi, FAD Djibouti