Deaflympics: Kenya handball women fall to Turkey

Kenya's national women’s Deaf handball team started their Deaflympics campaign on the losing end as they fell 43-16 to Turkey at the UCS Ginásio Poliesportivo in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil.

The result leaves Kenya fourth in the Pool after day one results, with Turkey taking an early lead as hosts Brazil follow after hammering Argentina 36-4, with Denmark coming third.

Kenya is making its maiden appearance in handball for both men and women at the quadrennial event and the ladies were hoping to the global stage by storm, and still has the chance to do so in the next match.

Their male counterparts are set to start their campaign on Tuesday at 6 PM EAT against Cameroon, with the ladies taking to the court for their second match on Wednesday at 6 PM EAT against Denmark.

The onfield start might not have been as explosive, but the Kenyan athletes left a lasting memory during the event's opening ceremony thanks to their striking traditional outfits at the Sesi Sports Centre in Caxias Do Sul.

The female athletes donned the famous red Maasai dress and complemented it with Maasai jewelry around their waist, neck, and head, and killed it off with sandals bearing the national flag colors while their male compatriots wore white shirts beaded with the national flag colors around the hands and sandals similar to those of the ladies.

Kenya is represented in five disciplines including athletics, basketball, football, handball, and golf.