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Kenya unveils five hockey masters teams for 2026 World Cup
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 23.07.26. | 14:51
The squads will compete across the men's Over-40, Over-45 and Over-50 categories, as well as the women's Over-35 and Over-40 divisions
Kenya has confirmed its final squads for the 2026 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup, with five teams set to fly the country's flag at the global championship beginning on Thursday, 23 July in the Netherlands.
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The squads, verified by World Masters Hockey ahead of the tournament, will compete across the men's Over-40, Over-45 and Over-50 categories, as well as the women's Over-35 and Over-40 divisions.
The competition will run until August 1 across Rotterdam, Schiedam, Breda in the Netherlands and Brasschaat in Belgium, bringing together approximately 400 teams under the theme "Generation of Greatness – We Don't Stop Playing."
The women's Over-40 side will be led by goalkeeper Brenda Wangila, alongside experienced players including: Euphrasia Alusiola, Sandra Nyambura, Sarafina Sikwata, Dorris Kirui, Jackqeuline Ogot, Jane Ndirangu, Catherine Mulwa and Diana Ellinger. The squad will be managed by Leocardear Ofulla, with Willis Okeyo serving as head coach.
In the women's Over-35 category, captain Charity Majimbo will lead the team that also features goalkeepers Josephine Ataro and Lydia Kaparo, with Leon Magomere taking charge as head coach. Salome Iha will serve as team manager, assisted by Christine Odhiambo.
The men's Over-45 team will be captained by Syed Shah and includes goalkeeper Stephen Otieno, Kennedy Kyalo, Amos Amutete, Antony Wamalwa, Richard Wandera, Jonathan Pereira and David Abuom among others.
Wandera will also double up as head coach, while Deborah Agunda has been named team manager.
Kenya's men's Over-40 side will be captained by Harpreet Seehra, and features goalkeeper Sameer Shah, Victor Aloo, Pritam Virdee, Amit Rajput, Depinder Singh, Leon Magomere, Willis Okeyo and Michael Obuya. Godfrey Wakachunga will coach the side.
The men's Over-50 squad will be led by captain Amritpal Ghataurhae, with Inderjit Matharu, Austin Oluoch, Bila Odongo, Denis Nyamosi, Harminderpal Bhambra, Prabjot Hunjan, Abdul Khan and goalkeepers Kasera Eli and Ajay Dosaja forming the core of the team. Darren Lobo has been entrusted with coaching duties.
Kenya's campaign gets underway on Thursday, 23 July, with three teams taking to the field.
The men's Over-40 side opens its tournament against Australia at HC Schiedam before the women's Over-40 team faces England later the same day. The men's Over-50 team will then begin its campaign against Malaysia at HC Rotterdam.
Action continues on Friday, 24 July, with the men's Over-45 team making its tournament debut against Egypt at Hockey Club Victoria, while the women's Over-35 side faces France. The men's Over-50 team will also return to action against France.
The schedule intensifies over the weekend as the women's Over-35 side takes on Argentina before facing hosts the Netherlands and New Zealand in their remaining pool matches. The men's Over-45 team will meet Canada, the Netherlands and Wales after opening against Egypt.
The men's Over-40 side faces a challenging group that includes Australia, Hong Kong China, Germany and Italy, while the women's Over-40 team is set for encounters against England, hosts the Netherlands, Uruguay and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the men's Over-50 team will play Malaysia, France, New Zealand and Spain in the opening phase of the tournament.
Kenya's presence at the championship extends beyond the playing squads. International umpire Clementine Sims has been appointed to the tournament's panel of umpires, while Esther Adolwa and Kennedy Kyalo will serve as Technical Officials.
Africa will be represented at the World Cup by Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Egypt, with the continent seeking to make its mark against traditional hockey powerhouses including the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, England, Argentina, New Zealand and Malaysia.
For Kenya's five teams, the tournament offers an opportunity not only to compete on the global stage but also to showcase the continued growth of masters hockey in the country, where former internationals and long-serving club players continue to demonstrate that age is no barrier to elite competition.