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Why Kenyan deaf athletes can finally afford to smile
Ian Wambui celebrates with the Kenyan flag after bagging gold in men's 1500m in the 24th Summer Deaflympics at the Sesi Centro Esportivo Athletics Track in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil on May 10, 2022.
What you need to know:
- The suspension stemmed from KSFD's failure to send teams to two previously registered events: the 2023 World Deaf Handball Championships in Copenhagen and the 2024 World Deaf Youth Games in São Paulo.
- The debt was settled by the Kenyan government last month, enabling KSFD to successfully petition for reinstatement.
Kenyan deaf athletes have reason to celebrate after the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) officially lifted its suspension on the country, clearing the way for participation in the 2025 Tokyo Summer Deaflympics scheduled for November 15–26 in Japan.
In a letter dated May 3 and signed by ICSD President Adam Kosa, the organisation confirmed the decision to reinstate Kenya.
“The ICSD hereby officially informs the Kenya Sports Federation of the Deaf that the suspension imposed by the Executive Board in its letter dated 25 April 2024 has been lifted," read part of the letter.
While the Kenya Sports Federation of the Deaf (KSFD) is mandated to oversee Deaf sports in the country, the ICSD serves as the global governing body for Deaf sports.
With the suspension now lifted, KSFD has registered four women’s teams — basketball, football, handball, and volleyball — for the upcoming Deaflympics.
The Bernard Banja-led federation has also confirmed entries in two individual sports and is awaiting approval for participation in seven others.
Despite Kenya’s strong record in Deaf sports, its participation in the Toyo Games had been thrown into doubt due to an outstanding debt of Sh18 million owed to ICSD.
The suspension stemmed from KSFD's failure to send teams to two previously registered events: the 2023 World Deaf Handball Championships in Copenhagen and the 2024 World Deaf Youth Games in São Paulo.
The debt was settled by the Kenyan government last month, enabling KSFD to successfully petition for reinstatement.
“We thank the Department of Sports and by extension the entire Ministry of Sports for continuously supporting Deaf Sports in Kenya,” Banja told Nation Sport on Monday.
“KSFD is committed to putting the Kenya flag up in the 25th Summer Deaflympics where it belongs as usual… we appeal to any corporate body to come on board and support KSFD as we are heading to defend the records we won, 24 medals during the 24th Summer Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil in 2022," he added.
Banja also confirmed that the federation plans to finalise team selections by August 10, with individual athlete selections expected to conclude by mid-September.
