President Uhuru challenges Deaflympics team to better the 2017 medal tally

President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged the Kenyan contingent for the 24th Summer Deaflympics to surpass the medal tally garnered in the 2017 edition held in Samsun, Turkey.

Kenya raked in a total of 16 medals in Turkey five years ago (5 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 Bronze) and Uhuru wants the current team to break sweat and raise the bar higher.

Speaking after flagging off the team that will fly the Kenyan flag in Brazil’s Caxias do Sul City between 1st-15th May, Uhuru urged the athletes to emulate their counterparts drawn from middle and long-distance runners who have reigned supreme at the Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games over the years.

“I wish you well in Brazil, you have displayed that disability is not inability, I am so proud of you and your officials for preparing you well. Kenya is a sporting nation as it has been witnessed in athletics, rugby and WRC Safari Rally,” President Kenyatta said.

Speaking at the same event, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohamed said through the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund, sports teams that represent Kenya in regional and international competitions are now well catered for.

“This time we are sending a big delegation compared to the last edition in 2017. Now we have an addition of women’s football as well as handball men and women, so we expect to come back with more medals,” CS Amina underscored.

“Besides the usual training for the competition, the team has also undergone sensitization on anti-doping regulations, mental health, and media relations. We are, therefore, confident of posting great results that will cement our place in the world charts as a hub for talent,” she added.

The team were resplendent in their ceremonial outfit, the men donning white shirts with beaded cuffs and the ladies in red dresses complete with beaded statement neckpieces representing the rich Kenyan culture.

“Additionally, I wish to thank our women from the Ushanga Kenya Initiative who have produced beaded attires and jewellery that will be worn by our athletes in Brazil as we seek to showcase our rich and unique culture to the world,” CS Amina remarked.

“The Initiative has had an immense contribution towards the empowerment of women from pastoralist and marginalized communities by training them on value addition and improved techniques in beadwork,” She added.

The first batch of athletes and officials will depart the country on Thursday, April 21 followed by the second group on Saturday, April 23. Football will kick off the Games with the opening fixture scheduled for April 30th just before the opening ceremony.

Hosts Brazil will be among those lined up to play in the April 30 fixtures. On the same day, Egypt will play France while Turkey will lock horns with Germany. Kenya will field teams in Basketball (men and women) and Handball (men and women) as well as golf (men) and athletics (men and women).

Kenya's golf team will comprise three players among them the 2020 Kenya Amateur Matchplay Champion Isaac Makokha. The Kenya Women’s Deaf Team team will kickstart its campaign with Japan on May 3.

They will play hosts Brazil two days later before taking on Poland on May 7. The youthful Kenyan women footballers will be at it on May 7 against the USA in their last preliminary.