Battle for glory as Kenya hosts World Under-21 Taekwondo Championships

 Team Kenya is ready to shine on home soil as the World Under-21 Taekwondo Championship gets underway Wednesday at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

Team Kenya’s 16 players have been training at the Kenya Academy of Sports and are ready to impress on home soil. The inaugural event has drawn major global interest, with 77 countries and over 450 athletes participating.

The inaugural championships have attracted immense global interest, with 77 countries - including South Korea, the United States, Israel, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, and Uganda - and more than 450 athletes expected to compete.

World Taekwondo officials and international teams began arriving in Nairobi over the weekend, setting the stage for a high-calibre championship that will position Kenya as a premier destination for global sporting events.

Kenya Taekwondo Federation President Major (Rtd) Suleiman Sumba praised the strong turnout and affirmed Kenya’s preparedness.

 “The large number of countries and athletes coming for the championships underscores the global confidence in Kenya’s ability to host events of this magnitude. We are honoured to welcome the world to Nairobi for this historic championship,” said Major (Rtd) Sumba.

He added that extensive planning has gone into guaranteeing a seamless experience for participants and spectators.

“All logistical, technical, and security arrangements have been completed in close coordination with The ARCrayon Communications, who are our communications, partnerships and resource mobilization partners, government agencies and World Taekwondo officials. We are fully prepared to deliver a world-class event that meets international standards,” he noted.

Major (Rtd) Sumba expressed strong optimism of Team Kenya’s prospects, citing the intensive training regime and recent morale-boosting engagements.

“Our athletes are highly motivated. Having Olympic champions interact with them has significantly boosted their confidence. We expect them to give an exceptional performance and bring home an impressive medal haul, supported by the energy of the home crowd,” he said.