Kenya continues to rack up medals at African Youth Games

Kenya Under-17 beach handball girls’ team Wednesday delivered a silver to push the country’s medal overall tally to 17 at the 2025 African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.

The day saw Kenya also claim two bronze in tennis mixed category and men’s singles to increase the haul to four gold, four silver and nine bronze.

In the beach handball contest, Kenya’s quest for the title fell flat on its tracks after losing 2-0 sets to arch-rivals Senegal at Island of Luanda.

The Kenyan teenagers had on Monday lost in the shootouts against the West Africans and couldn’t lay revenge in the final, losing 13-12 and 15-14 sets to settle for silver.

The showdown was fierce. Senegal came in strong, but Kenya’s youth matched them stride for stride, showing grit, skill, and unity. The final whistle confirmed Senegal as champions, yet Kenya’s silver was celebrated as a victory of resilience and promise.

“We tried our best but luck was not on our side. I will encourage my players to accept the silver medal although they had really prepared to avenge against Senegal who have become our fiercest opponents.

“We must keep these players together even after the championship so as to continue building a formidable squad for next year’s events,” said head coach Evans Owino.

This medal is not Kenya’s first taste of continental glory. It is the second silver medal in the nation’s Beach Handball history.

The journey began at the Africa Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia, in 2023, where the Kenyan women’s team stunned the continent by reaching the final against hosts Tunisia.

That historic silver was guided by Caroline Nyadiero, then head coach, who led the team to its first podium finish.

Now, in Luanda, Nyadiero has taken on the mantle of Team Manager, continuing to inspire and guide the squad.

Reflecting on the achievement, she said: “From Tunisia to Angola, our athletes have shown that Kenyan youth can rise to any challenge. This silver medal is a testament to their resilience and a beacon of hope for the future of our sport.”

With two continental silver medals in just three years, Kenya’s Beach Handball program is building a legacy. The medals are more than trophies—they are milestones in a journey that is shaping Kenya into a rising force in African sport.

Loroupe feted

Meanwhile, former world marathon record holder Tegla Loroupe has been honoured for her continued contribution to the growth of sport and peace initiatives in Kenya.

The Africa National Olympic Committee Association (ANOCA) in partnership with the International Judo Union, awarded Loroupe a medal of recognition for her leadership and commitment to the Judo for Peace program.

The award acknowledges her role in using sport as a tool for social change, particularly among refugee communities.

Loroupe was recognized for standing up for marginalized groups and advocating for better opportunities for refugees through sport.

She currently oversees refugee sports programs in Kenya and leads the national Judo for Peace initiative, which promotes unity, discipline, and hope among displaced communities.

While receiving the award during the ongoing 2025 African Youth Games in Angola, Loroupe called on former athletes from all sporting disciplines to take an active role in developing sport across Africa.

She emphasized that the involvement of experienced athletes is critical to nurturing talent and positioning the continent as a global sporting force.

The impact of the Judo for Peace program was recently demonstrated when the Kenyan refugee judo team made its debut at the youthful fiesta in Angola, where they advanced to the quarter final stage.

Loroupe also thanked Judo Kenya President Shadrack Maluki, the Government of Kenya, the International Olympic Committee, and the Olympic Solidarity team for their continued support throughout her journey in championing refugee sports programs.

The organisers say the recognition highlights the power of sport beyond competition, serving as a platform for peace, inclusion, and opportunity across the region.