Deaflympics 2025 : Kenya’s Basketball & Handball Teams Set for Battle as Tokyo 2025 Games Tip Off
Sports Updated: 15 November 2025 16:58 EAT
Kenya officially begins its chase for glory at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics this Sunday, with both the women’s basketball team and the men’s handball squad stepping onto the global stage.
The women’s basketball team will open Kenya’s campaign at 10:30 am local time (4:30 am Kenyan time) at the Ota-City General Gymnasium, where they face Australia in their first Group “A” matchup.
Later in the day, at 4:00 pm local time (10:00 am in Nairobi), the men’s handball team launches its Group “A” mission against Serbia at the Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground Indoor Stadium.
Kenya is competing in five disciplines at the 25th edition of the quadrennial event, which runs until November 26: basketball, handball, athletics, swimming, and golf.
In women’s basketball, Kenya shares Group “A” with Lithuania and Italy, while Groups “B” and “C” feature strong contenders such as Greece, Ukraine, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Turkey, USA, and Poland.
Standing tall both literally and figuratively is defender Sylvia Adhiambo, who has vowed to anchor Kenya’s defence with grit and authority.
Our homework is all done, all departments are in order, our focus will be to reach the podium and bag the gold medals, so Australia should prepare for a day of long knives in the ring," Adhiambo underlined.
Head coach Mary Chepkoi, leading Kenya into their third Deaflympics appearance, echoed the confidence.“I believe we have prepared well and we are ready to play this Game. We have never tackled Australia before, but we believe we have what it takes to face them. We will take one game at a time,” said Chepkoi, who is also the coach of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Women’s basketball team nicknamed “Lynx”.
Kenya enters the court inspired by their impressive 98–12 victory over Brazil in the 2022 Deaflympics, where they finished seventh overall. With Australia boasting a tall side, Chepkoi stressed the need for tactical discipline.
“They have tall players and that will be a challenge on our end, but we will remind our players to box out to be able to get the rebounds every time a shot is taken,” she said, adding that they are taking one match at a time against the opponents.
In handball, goalkeeper Samuel Gitonga promised a fearless performance against Serbia. " We have studied Serbia well, we know its weak points, where we will hit the most. We have to rake in the points in the opening encounter," Gitonga noted. Kenya deaf handball coach Jack Habert said Serbia will not be able to beat them if his players stick to instructions.
His coach, Jack Habert, believes Serbia can be contained if Kenya executes the game plan. “We have been preparing for this Deaflympics since the last one in Brazil in 2022. All the teams in the championship are good. It is upon us to be tactical to make sure we don’t give them the chance to play well,” said Habert.
Kenya’s handball team will also face defending champions Croatia and France in Group “A”, while Group “B” comprises Japan, Germany, Turkey, and Brazil.
With confidence sky-high and preparations complete, Kenya marches into the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics ready to compete, challenge, and conquer.
Tags: Deaflympics Deaflympics 2025 Editor's Pick Matters Disaility
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