Kenya to send para teams to 2025 World Abilitysport Beach Games
Kenya's Hellen Wawira Kariuki competes in the Powerlifting Women's up to 41 kg final event during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at La Chapelle Arena in Paris, on September 4, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Kenya is set to feature at the inaugural World Abilitysport Beach Games, which will be held from 18 to 25 October 2025 along the picturesque 116km coastline of Mersin in southern Türkiye.
The landmark Para event will see the country represented in para powerlifting and para badminton.
President of Ability Sports Kenya, Agnes Oluoch, said the federation was determined to unearth and nurture new talent ready to integrate them into higher classification.
“We are reaching out to schools to bridge new talent. Sports can provide not only opportunity but also a livelihood. We want more young people to join because this is also about building a strong squad for the LA 2028 Paralympics,” noted Oluoch.
Treasurer Caroline Wanjira emphasized the focus on youth integration and also rallied on the government support even if it's to extend a reward package to motivate the participants.
“We are deliberately working with younger talents with the aim of guiding them into higher classifications. This will enable them to qualify for future high-profile events and sustain Kenya’s presence at the global stage,” she said.
On the badminton front, Vice President Alphonse Barasa acknowledged both progress and challenges.
“Although para badminton is a new federation, we are ready to step up. From the talent pool we have, we hope to select between 12 and 14 players. The biggest challenge remains low participation, especially among children whose parents fear stigma or view sports as time-wasting,” Barasa explained.
Athlete Gishan Mudib, who is targeting the 80–85kg para powerlifting category, expressed his excitement at the prospect of competing abroad.
“My aim is to gain experience because this will be my first international tournament. I am pushing myself hard to be ready for the challenge,” he said.
Kenya’s charge is buoyed by the recent success of Joyce Wawira and Njuguna, who both won silver medals at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup earlier this year.
Wawira’s 102kg lift earned her a fifth career medal, while Njuguna impressed in the women’s up to 79kg with a 105 kg lift.
Their performances, officials believe, underline Kenya’s growing stature in para sports and set the tone for a strong showing in Mersin.
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