Ability SportKenya hold talks with JICA for a possible partnership

Speaking from a Nairobi hotel where the meeting was held, federation President Agnes Oluoch hailed JICA saying that she was thankful for their gesture and  kind hearts that are open for discussions to future engagements.

"Ability Sportkenya is mainly tasked with identification and nurturing of talents up to elite levels. That's our main job, but to be able to accomplish that, we need resources, " said Oluoch.

"We also urge the County governments and also the national government, when they are investing in sporting infrastructure, they should bear in mind Persons living with Disabilities, ( PWD'S)  in terms of access among many other requirements that will make an athlete comfortable while participating in sports," Oluoch retorted adding that Kenya has so much talent, but the problem is inadequate resources.  

The round table meeting was also attended by Jackie Njenga, the Director of Programs, League of Persons With Special Abilities Association ( LPSA), who's main responsibility is to empower cross disability through various programs.

"My dream is to see PWD'S have resource centers wherever they are at their areas of residence. We have 47 Counties in Kenya, and if we can have areas where they can go and exploit their God given talents , then it will make work easier for talent identification."

Japan International Corporation Agency ( JICA)  was represented by Hamada Maho who is the advisor, Takashi Chimura the President of Center for Independent Living and Daisuke Kasayanagi the Assistant Secretary General from the Japan National Assembly People's International.

" It is sad to see PWD athletes not enjoying sports because of poor available or lack of infrastructure.We should combine forces, work together to not only change Para sports , but society at large because of how PWD's have been discriminated over time, " said Hamada Maho adding that sports in general contributes alot, it has the power to change society in terms of views and perspectives.

Ability Sportkenya will continue engaging JICA and announce at a later date the agreements of their partnership, but for now, the federation has emphasized that it's main focus eemain to prepare athletes for the next Paralympics Games in Los Angeles 2028, a journey that is challenging without the required resources