Special Games: Players with special needs to join EA games

Pupils from Central Region in action during their Goal Ball game during 15 Edition of Special School National Ball Games Championship for learners with special needs that is being held at Nakuru Boys High School on 31 July 2018.Eastern won 10-0:PHOTO Harun Wathari

Players with special needs to join EA games

The Kenya national schools for learners with special needs will from next season take part in the East African secondary school games.

Director of Quality Assurance and Standards in the Ministry of Education, Pius Mutisya, said by including the games into the regional championships will ensure players with different disabilities have a chance to harness their talents.

“We’ll fight hard to ensure it is incorporated into the regional games for them to improve their sporting prowess. We want their games to be in tandem with the rest in the same championships,” he said after an appeal by Kenya Schools Sports Association For Learners with Special Needs (KSSALSN) chairperson, Judith Khavwengesi.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony for the KSSALSN ball games that ended at Nakuru Boys High School over the weekend, Khavwengesi said it will be prudent if their players are also allowed to feature in the regional championships for them to exploit their talents.

“I appeal for the relevant authorities to take up the matter and honour our desire to be incorporated into the regional championships. That's our prayer and I know it will be honoured," said Khavwengesi.

Mutisya promised to finalise the matter with the Ministry of Education officials so that KSSALSN can be recognised as members of Federation for the East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) from next season.

FEASSSA has a membership of seven countries, which include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zanzibar and South Sudan.

At the same time, she called on coaches to desist from cheating by involving players in their wrong capabilities for them to win more titles.

“It is senseless to bring on board a player with no mental ailment to play alongside those that have the disorder just for the sake of winning titles in many disciplines,” she said.

During the games, Rift Valley won the overall title. [Ben Ahenda]