Kenya’s Baseball5 youth team has arrived in Mexico with a bold ambition: to make history at their first-ever World Cup appearance.
The eight-player squad touched down in Nayarit ahead of Wednesday’s opening match at Parque La Loma Court, where they will face a formidable Cuban side. Despite the tough draw, the mood in camp is buoyant.
“This is more than a game—it’s history in the making,” said Titus Mutwiri, president of the Baseball Federation of Kenya. “To see our flag flying at this level is a moment of immense pride. These young athletes are trailblazers, and they carry the dreams of a nation.”
The team has spent the past month in residential training at Africa Nazarene University, sharpening their skills and forging unity. Head Coach Joel Wangicho believes that preparation will be key.
“We know we’re facing seasoned teams, but we’re not here to be spectators,” he told reporters. “The boys have trained tirelessly, focusing on both the technical and mental game. We came prepared to compete.”
Kenya’s group-stage path will not be easy. After Cuba, they meet South Korea before wrapping up against Spain. For team captain Peter Okinyi, the challenge is part of the honour.
“We’ve worked for this moment, and we’re ready to leave everything on the court,” he said. “Wearing the Kenyan jersey and hearing our anthem play in Mexico—it’s something I’ll never forget. We are here to show that Kenya belongs on this stage.”
The tournament is a milestone for Baseball5 in Kenya, a sport still new but steadily rising in popularity. Introduced into the school curriculum under the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, it is gaining traction among young athletes.
Officials hope the World Cup spotlight will attract more support and investment for grassroots programmes. For now, the focus is on the court, where a determined group of teenagers will carry Kenya’s hopes against some of the sport’s giants.
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