Kenya women’s para volleyball team has begun preparations for the World Paralympics Volleyball Championships in China, with hopes rising that the squad could take another important step towards a historic Paralympic debut.
Inside the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi this week, players trained with intensity and focus as coaches assessed a provisional squad of 24 athletes ahead of the tournament in Hangzhou, scheduled for July 10 to July 17.
The final travelling team of 14 players is expected to be named next week before the start of a residential training camp.
For many within the squad, the championship is about more than medals. It represents the opening stage of qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, a milestone Kenya’s sitting volleyball programme has long targeted.
The team secured its place at the global tournament after finishing second at last year’s ParaVolley Africa Zonal Championships held in Nairobi, a performance that strengthened confidence within the federation.
“We have started a one-and-a-half-month training period to properly prepare our girls so they can compete effectively against some of the best teams in the world,” said Kenya Sitting Volleyball Federation secretary general Justus Katumo.
“We want to put in maximum effort and ensure we perform well. We are optimistic the girls will be ready before travelling.”
Kenya faces a demanding challenge in Pool A alongside hosts China, Rwanda and Iran. The tournament will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, with countries including the United States, Brazil, Ukraine, Germany, Japan and Italy also competing.
The growth of sitting volleyball in Kenya has increasingly drawn attention to para sports development in the country, particularly among women athletes. Trials for the provisional squad were held in Makueni last December, attracting players from 12 counties, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Bungoma and Uasin Gishu.
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