Chepkoi notes areas to improve for deaf basketball

Kenya Deaf men and women’s basketball teams are the latest to arrive in the country from the recently concluded 24th Summer Deaflympics 2021 games in Brazil.

Both teams were on Friday May 20, hosted to a celebratory breakfast at Pride Inn Azure Hotel in Westlands Nairobi.

Mary Chepkoi, the women's team head coach, while acknowledging the invaluable experienced gained in Brazil called on stakeholders to do more for the sport I'd performance is to improve jn the next championship.

"It was a great privilege to take part in the Games. We managed to achieve our goal which was to improve our ranking from the performance in Turkey back in 2017.

There was notable improvement with each game despite losing five of the six matches we played. Winning against Brazil in the classification matches was a highlight for our outing," she offered.

She continued "As the matches progressed the player got used to the intensity and competitiveness and adjusted well. This points to a need for better preparation.

We have resolved to come together and make sure the players get regular play whether through a league or tournaments. Even if it means playing against their hearing counterparts, it will help improve the game and they will be in a better place heading to the next championship."

Men’s team captain Calvin Musalia, said hus team did the best noting that there was improvement.

"I can say we improved despite having new blood in the team. We need to put up new structures to strengthen the team," Musalia offered, sentiments that were echoed by coach Geoffrey Mwaniki.

Kenya Sports Federation of the Deaf President Peter Kalae who arrived with the teams noted the importance of Deaf teams building their capacity saying they should start training with their hearing counterparts to improve their skills.

Kalae hinted at two basketballers landing professional deals from their performance in Brazil.