Kenya to host continental Deaf Games

Kenya Sports Federation of the Deaf chairman Peter Kalae. Kenya Sports Federation of the Deaf chairman Peter Kalae during the interview at University of Nairobi.He says the Government has been slow in giving them a go ahead to host Olympic games for the Deaf here in Kenya, Nairobi. ON 04/08/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Kenya will host the first All Africa Games for the Deaf between April 18 and April 26.

Announcing this yesterday, the Kenya Sports Federation of the Deaf President Peter Okumu Kalae confirmed that 10 countries have so far confirmed participation.

“More entries are streaming in and we expect more countries by end of this month,” said Okumu, also President of Confederation of African Deaf Sports (CADS).

A full-fledged All Africa Deaf Games 2016 secretariat has been set up at the Nyayo National Stadium KNSC offices under Charles Nyaberi as the Chief Executive Officer.

The continental Deaf sports head elaborated that the week-long extravaganza will see African deaf athletes compete for honours in athletics, football, futsal (five-a-side football), handball, volleyball, basketball, badminton and table tennis.

Kenya’s deaf athletes set the world ablaze in 2013 when they stunned better-endowed countries to win 16 medals (six gold, five silver, five bronze) at the World Deaflympics Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Kenyans also hold four world records for the deaf. Daniel Kiptum holds both the half-marathon (1:04:24) and full marathon (2:11:31) world records, while Buxton Menjo holds the 1,500m record at 3:48.69) and Simon Cherono completes the world beaters’ list with his record in 5,000m (14:02.90).

Nyaberi said the Local Organising Committee has been constituted and sub-committees set up to oversee preparations for the Games.

Media and Publicity, Finance and Resource Mobilisation, Technical, Accommodation and Security, Transport and Protocol sub-committees have been set up.