Cabinet Secretary for sports, Amb. Amina Mohammed, officially opened the inaugural Africa Deaflympics Ball Games Qualifiers at Kasarani Stadium on Monday, September 13.
The official launch started with the Nubian Gold quartet of ladies who sang Swahili versions of both anthems of Kenya and the East African Community.
The event also featured acrobatic shows, tap dancing and drumming by Machakos Secondary School For the Deaf with a wonderful Kamba dance known as “Kilume”.
A total of 16 countries had confirmed participation in the ball games including Mali,Ghana,Nigeria, Zambia,Gambia,Zanzibar,Somaliland,Gabon, Egypt,Libya,Liberia, Cameroon and Mauritania.
The Games kicked off on Saturday with the Kenya deaf football team losing 3-1 to Senegal in its opening Group A match. On Sunday, Egypt’s football team walloped Somaliland 10-1.
Sports CS Amb. Amina Mohamed welcomed all the visitors in Kenya and conveyed greetings from the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I would like to acknowledge the presence of participating countries at this Games, which is a reflection of your support and passion towards the Deaf Games. I also wish to thank your governments for continuing to support this initiative in Africa to allow deaf people to achieve their potential in elite sport,” remarked Amina.
Gordon Oluoch, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), extended gratitude to the respective governments of the participating teams for making it possible for the teams to travel to Kenya for the inaugural Games.
“As members of the LOC, with the support of the Ministry of Sports and the Government of Kenya, we have worked together tirelessly to ensure the success of the Games. I am convinced that this momentous occasion in Nairobi will form a strong bond among the deaf fraternity on the continent that will last for many years to come,” said Oluoch.
This event is being used to pick African qualifiers to the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil.