Team Kenya Departs for Tokyo; Deaflympics Kick Off Tomorrow with High Stakes
Sports Updated: 14 November 2025 16:31 EAT
Kenya deaf women’s basketball team departing for Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics in Japan on Thursday November 13, 2025. PHOTO/ KSFD
Team Kenya's handball and basketball contingents officially departed for the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics, which commence on Saturday, November 15, and run until November 26. The 180-member squad, comprising athletes, officials, medics, and sign language interpreters, is determined to surpass the 24 medals secured at the 2022 Games.
The team's departure schedule involved groups leaving at different times. The men's handball team left on Thursday morning, while the women's basketball team followed later in the day, departing in two separate groups at midday and in the evening.
Ahead of the grand departures, team captains expressed confidence and resilience. Basketball skipper Maureen Auma underlined the team's readiness, stating, "We are promising very good results; this is because we have done our homework well."
Handball captain Joel Kiilu, acknowledging the challenge of being pooled in the "group of death," remained resolute: "Our plot is to top our standings and proceed to the semis, where we will work on a strategy for the podium."
Kenya women’s Deaf basketball team coach, Mary Chepkoi, also expressed her optimism, promising, "Kenyans should expect a better performance from us than we did in Brazil in 2022."
Both teams face formidable opponents in the preliminary stages. The Women's Basketball contingent has been drawn into Group A, alongside world giants Lithuania, Italy, and Australia. Similarly, the Men's Handball team is placed in a challenging Group B with defending champions Croatia, France, and Serbia.
Handball will be the first Kenyan team in action, scheduled to face Serbia in a Group B match on Sunday at the Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Indoor Stadium at 6:00 PM local time (12:00 PM Kenyan time).
The remaining Kenyan teams competing in athletics, golf, and swimming depart later this week, with the athletics team leaving today and the golf and swimming teams flying out on Saturday.
Sports Principal Secretary (PS) Elijah Mwangi flagged off the squad and delivered a substantial promise of rewards from President William Ruto for exceptional performance.
The PS detailed the financial incentives: "For any gold medal that you bring... Sh 3 million, and for any silver medal, Sh 2 million will be rewarded, while for bronze, Sh 1 million."
And Sh 5 million will be awaiting every record that will be broken." The PS concluded with a strong message of support: “We believe in you; go make history for Kenya!”
Tags: Deaflympics Matters Disaility Deaflympics 2025
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Selestine Nyongesa
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