By Belinda Maska,

Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) has announced its  planning to organize the first ever women’s tournament in 2015 that will attract at least eight countries.

CECAFA vice president Lawrence Mulindwa, said the regional football governing body plans to use this as an avenue for the women’s teams to gain exposure as well as play against different opposition.

“Many countries in the vast  region have women’s teams so its important   to organize a tournament that will  bring our women teams  together in a competition that will eventually promote the game in East and Central Africa,” Mulindwa said

CECAFA region has never sent a women’s side to the World Cup at any level; U-17, U-20 and the senior World Cup. With these being the biggest stages of football in the world, a lot has to be done to get to the level of the West and Southern African countries.

This year Rwanda defeated Kenya 1-0 in Kigali before losing 2-1 in Machakos qualifying on the away goals rule to the next level where they met African giants Nigeria. The Super Falcons defeated Rwanda 4-1 in Kigali before humiliating the She-Amavubi 8-0 in Kaduna to qualify for the Africa Women’s Championship in Namibia from October 11-25 on a 12-1 aggregate.