Kenya has finalized its selections for the upcoming Deaflympics Youth Games taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil in January. The table tennis category will be represented by a total of twelve qualified players. In addition to them, there are 18 basketball players, 12 swimmers, 10 futsal football players, 16 athletes, and eight badminton players who have also successfully secured their spots for the Deaflympics event next year.
This selection process followed a two-day tournament held at the Goan Institute, where young participants exhibited remarkable talents during the inaugural National Deaf Table Tennis Championships. Among the 22 junior players who participated, six boys and six girls in the age range of 14 to 18 emerged as successful qualifiers. These selected players will move forward to the training camp scheduled to be held in Nairobi.
Miriam Opondo, the President of Deaflympics Kenya, stated that there will be further qualifying rounds in November, followed by a residential training camp in December. The aim of these preparatory steps is to ensure that Team Kenya is well-equipped and fully prepared for the Brazil Championships. The tournament itself was characterized by the sounds of shoes squeaking on the floor, the sound of the ball colliding with paddles, and the friendly exchanges between opponents echoing throughout the hall.
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