Christine Ngoizi: The Untold Story of The Intersex Persons in the Football Profession

Intersex is an umbrella term that refers to a variety of conditions in which an individual’s biological sex characteristics do not fit typical definitions of male or female. This people suffer stigma, discrimination and medical interventions.

The intersex persons are invisible in sport- Christine Ngoizi AKA “Kachali”takes us through her journey as a footballer. Over the past few years intersex persons have not been given the same opportunities as of that of a normal child towards sports and other professions.

Kachali is among the people who have faced rejection and discrimination in the society. Kachali was brought up as a girl but the male hormones became dominant as she grew older, after completing her primary education she got a sponsorship to join BUTERE Girl’s High School where after a while she got rejected, since the school could not identify her as truly a female.

“I remember at one point when I was called from the exam room and was asked to go to the bursar’s car, only find both of my parents waiting for me, the bursary told me we were
going to a place, we kicked off and our destination was a hospital, where some scans were done. My parents were given a note indicating that I would not attend school till further medication tests were carried out, since then I have never received any feedback from the school” Kachali said.

The search for another school for to get admitted was not successful, for she always met cold and dutifully eyes, every time she presented her papers for admission no one believed that she was truly a female.

Kachali recalls the events at harambee’s starlets camp where medical checkup was a requirement for national matches, despite being part of the team chosen to represent Kenya at the Africa
women cup of nations and the under twenty national team she could not travel as the
immigration department had an issue with her documentation.

“Caroline Achieli”- who was Kachali’s coach at the under 20 national team was impressed
with her performance during her training.

“Kachali is a well-educated player that every coach would want to work with, apart from her
ability to work with coaches she listens to instructions and is very talented. I would want to
see a player like Kachali play at even higher levels and even go professional” coach Caroline
stated.

Intersex people have the right to play football, they may have unique physiological features
termed as performance enhancing effects but still have the right to complete in fair sports!.