Kenya to take part at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Kenya will send a contingent of 76 athletes to the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games slated for June 17 to June 24 next year in Berlin, Germany.

The country will field teams in nine disciplines including volleyball girls, basketball 3x3, beach volleyball both boys and girls, bocce, cycling, badminton, athletics, golf girls, and handball boys.

The showpiece, which takes place after every four years will see the 172 registered programs (countries) send around 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners who will be competing in 24 sports.

Special Olympics fields a minimum of three and a maximum of eight athletes in various disciplines, with an award for all policy that sees the top three receive their various medals and the others who finished get different ribbons in the order that they finished, including a participation award for those that do not manage to get to the end.

Speaking during a media workshop on Tuesday at the University of Nairobi grounds, Special Olympics Kenya Chairman of Sports Vincent Mungai said that the regional games in the country are almost kicking off and will play a big role in ensuring preparedness for the Summer Games in 2023.

“We could have participated in Winter Games in Russia next year January, but the games were canceled due to the ongoing Ukraine and Russia feuds. But now our focus is on the Summer Games and we want to field strong teams who will bring pride to our nation. In June the regional games will be kicking off,” Mungai said.

In line with promoting peace, Special Olympics Kenya will hold a Law enforcement Torch Run in June with an aim of raising awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement and sensitizing for peace across the nation ahead of the August polls

The touch run will be staged in several counties across the country in a noble initiative aimed at sensitizing people against post-election violence.