Deaflympics performance pointing to need for long-overdue changes

As action continues in Brazil where Kenyan teams are competing in the 24th Summer Deaflympics Games, the performance has been wanting on all fronts but for Athletics where the country has bagged some medals. 

Coach Juma Kent who travelled with the basketball teams that are doing duty in the championship says better preparation are needed if the side's are to compete on the same level as their peers in the championship. 

Deaflympics: Mwaniki impressed despite heavy losses

The men's and women's teams have lost all their group stage matches to rank last in their respective pools. However, the women's team is through to the quarterfinal, as only eight teams are competing, and face Italy who ranked top in pool A. 

"The women's team qualified for the quarter finals which is historic. They play the powerhouse on Tuesday at 10am (4pm Kenyan). The men's side finished last in their group that had five teams so did not make it to the quarters. Both teams did well, despite the results. This is a learning process and indicates some growth for basketball in Kenya," offered Kent. 

The tactician who coaches University of Nairobi Dynamites in the local top tier women's league says Kenya has a long way to go in deaf sports. 

"Our preparation for competitions, team and technical bench selection, players motivation and incentive, access to equipment and facilities, exposure and game level are all areas that need to be addressed. 

We also must strengthen our junior programs and do so in a structured way. Coach licensing is also important. We need to have a consensus on what players are taught as well as get coaches with integrity and good role models who can offer mentorship," the tactician added. 

Kent says a league would be a good place to start in addressing these issues. He observed that most of the countries taking part in the ongoing Games are on another level thanks to programs and structures they have and Kenya should borrow from them.

"We understand that playing at the Olympics level is no mean feat but it should not end there. We have to male sure our next trip to the Summer Games will be more successful and teams will not be just participating," he concluded. 

The men's basketball team were grouped in pool A that had Israel, Argentina, United States and Poland where they lost all four matches. The women were up against Unted States, Lithuania and Turkey.