Team Kenya Eyes Glory In Africa Para Volleyball Showdown
BY BARAKA SIMBA
Kenya's national para volleyball team is ready to compete in the 2025 Para Africa Volleyball Championship, set to begin this Friday at the Kasarani Gymnasium in Nairobi.
Head coach Julius Ouma has expressed optimism about the team's performance, especially with the advantage of playing on home soil.
“We know it won't be easy, but we believe we will win. This time we’re at home, unlike before when we were always playing away,” said Coach Ouma.
Team captain Henry Caleb Odiyo also expressed confidence in the squad's readiness, citing significant progress in adapting to new strategies.
“Our coaches have introduced a new playing system. At first, we were not fully comfortable with it, but now we’ve adapted well, and our expectations are high,” said Odiyo.
The Kenyan team faces tough competition from top-ranked African teams, including Algeria and Rwanda, who had arrived in Nairobi by Wednesday evening. Morocco is also viewed as a key contender in the tournament.
Hosting the championship is a major step for Kenya in advancing inclusivity in sports and creating equal opportunities for athletes with disabilities. It also boosts morale among local para-athletes and promotes awareness and support for disability sports within the country.
Participation in such international tournaments not only sharpens the team’s skills through exposure to high-level competition but also raises Kenya’s profile in the global para sports community. A strong showing could improve qualification prospects for global championships, including the Paralympics.
Tags: Paralympic Athletes Paralympics African Paralympic Committee PARA VOLLEYBALL Editor's Pick
