In their debut at the Women’s World Softball Championship at Softball City in Surrey, Team Kenya struggled on the field in their first match against Team New Zealand.
“The girls were falling all over. They could not be able to get a grip of the ball because of the shoes they were wearing,” said Team Kenya manager Francis Njeru Karugu.
Stuck in flat-soled sneakers, the Kenyans slid their way to a 28-0 loss on Saturday. But what Team New Zealand did next gave the visiting African team a winning attitude.
“We said why don’t we get them some cleats…to have 31 teams here and Kenya for the first time, actually it’s about making the sport better for everyone who wants to play – and that’s the New Zealand way,” said Team New Zealand coach Lyn Lockhart.
“We are very amazed, surprised and we are happy to have the cleats. They did fit us nicely and we love them,” said a grateful Virginia Munderu, Team Kenya’s pitcher and captain.
WATCH: Munderu expresses the Kenya Team’s gratitude for the cleats Team New Zealand bought for the players
The gift is just one of the acts of kindness unfolding at Softball City in Surrey. A devastated Team France has been won over by the generosity and camaraderie of their competitors after Thursday’s unthinkable tragedy in Nice.
“It’s just a humbling experience to have all of this love and support and the acts of kindness as well. Our girls are just…really touched them to the heart and they’ve said that. They’ve told us that as well,” said Team France assistant coach Sarah Jones.
On Sunday, Team Kenya lost again to Peru but with proper cleats on their feet, they scored their first three runs ever. “That’s amazing, so we are eating the elephant one bite at a time,” said a jubilant Njeru Karugu.