Kenya Amputee Football team has selected a provisional team consisting of 25 players that will represent the country at the forthcoming 2023 African Paralympic games in Accra, Ghana.
The players were selected on Monday, during a three-day tournament held in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County that enlisted 6 counties.
Nairobi County, who emerged the champions of the trials after beating Kakamega County 1-0 at the finals, has nine of their players, making it to the provisional squad.
According to Kenyan Amputee Football Federation Technical Director Hashim Kamau, the team will however be trimmed to 15 players ahead of the Paralympic games set for September.
“From the 25 players, we will select the final team that will eventually represent the country in Ghana because we only need two teams of seven each. The announcing of the final team will take place at Kasarani when the team enters residential training,” said Kamau.
The national team will also enlist 5 professional players who play in the Turkish League.
“Turkish league is one the most competitive league for amputee football, and we are glad some of the experienced players in our team play in Turkey,” he added.
However, Kamau has lamented Kenya’s preparation for similar tournaments has been hindered by a lack of support as some of the counties struggled to facilitate their players to Eldoret.
“During our last tournament in Mexico, the team barely had uniforms and were forced to use attires that were branded and supplied by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. There was a lot of public uproar but we hope things will be better this time,” reiterated Kamau.
Players have also decried the lack of a top-tier league for amputee football in the country as the reason why Kenya struggles to impress in tournaments outside the country.
“If Kenya had a league like the one in Turkey, we would have a better team and performance. All we need is support to represent our country well,” said Muhammed Munga, who plays in Turkey.