Kenya to host historic Africa Para Volleyball championships in July

The landmark event marks a significant milestone for the country as it not only underscores Kenya’s commitment to inclusive sports but also doubles as a qualifier for the 2025 World Para Volleyball Championship slated for October in the United States.

The national para volleyball team is scheduled to report to a residential training camp this Friday at Kasarani to commence final preparations.

Speaking ahead of the team’s arrival, Kenya Para Volleyball Federation Secretary General Justus Katumo expressed confidence in the country’s readiness to host the continental showpiece.

“Preparations are in top gear. So far, eight countries have confirmed participation, bringing together a total of twelve teams.

"We are in communication with the federations and are ensuring all logistics are in place for their arrival. Everything is set, and we are ready,” said Katumo.

The games will be staged at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, with top-tier teams such as Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and South Africa expected to grace the competition.

Kenya is aiming for a strong showing on home soil, building on the success of its women’s team that secured a silver medal behind Rwanda at the 2024 Africa Sitting Volleyball Championship in Lagos, Nigeria.

Katumo, himself a former player, noted that the men’s team, while highly competitive, must rise to the occasion to break past the traditional powerhouses of the sport.

“The men are very talented, perhaps even more competitive than the women, but they will need to push harder to overcome the usual hurdles,” he emphasized.

Hosting the championship presents Kenya with an opportunity to demonstrate its capability in organizing international sports events while also boosting the profile of Paralympic sports across the nation.

It offers a valuable platform for Kenyan athletes to shine at home and is expected to inspire greater participation and support for sitting volleyball and other inclusive sports disciplines in the years to come.