Tokyo Deaflympics: Kenya deaf volleyball team keen to upset giants

Despite being drawn in a tough pool at the upcoming Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics in Japan, the Kenya women’s deaf volleyball team has set an ambitious target of clinching a medal in the Games.

The quadrennial multi-sport event is scheduled for November 15 to 26.

Kenya will make its debut at the Deaflympics in women's volleyball. The other seven disciplines are tennis, table tennis, cycling, swimming, bowling, and badminton. Kenya will also compete in athletics, women’s football, men’s handball, golf, and women’s basketball.

Kenya were handed a wild card in the women’s volleyball because of their position in Africa.

They have been placed in Group “A” alongside giants Italy, the United States of America, and the hosts, Japan, while Group “B” consists of Turkey, Ukraine, Brazil, and Canada. Kenya’s head coach, Alborn Ouma, has vowed that his girls will upset the giants, singling out Italy as their main threat.

“We are in the same pool as Italy, Japan, and the USA. I know those are the powerhouses of volleyball, but we are up to the task, and we promise that we are going there not as underdogs but to bring back a medal.

“The hearing team (Malkia Strikers) may have done it; they have proven it by beating Poland. We are in the same shoes and must go for the best in Japan,” said Ouma.

“So far, Italy is good. I have been following up on their play; they are doing well, but the field decides. It is not about the name. We are going to the competition knowing that we are also good. Kenya has a name, and we have to protect it anywhere we go,” added the coach.

He spoke on the sidelines of the team’s training at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. The team’s captain, Hannah Wambui, echoed Coca’s sentiments, saying, “The training has been good; we are just aiming for gold so that we can make our country proud,” she said.

Ahead of the residential camp planned for later this month, 29 players have been training twice weekly at Nyayo or the University of Nairobi. It will be trimmed down to just 14 players.

The players were selected during last month's trials in Nairobi, attracting eight teams nationwide.

In addition to participating in several tournaments, the team has been playing against their male counterparts, who feature in the Kenya Volleyball Federation Division Two League.

“We founded this team in 2013. It has been a long journey, but we are happy that it will finally compete in the Deaflympics,” said Adem.

“The team is good; the improvement in there… We have seen how our hearing counterparts have been improving, and we aim to be on the same level. We are encouraging our team to ensure they perform very well in Tokyo. I know it is not easy, but we aim to bring home a medal,” he added.