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.
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.
