A total of 25 players have been selected for the provisional Kenya Amputee Football team that will represent the country at the forthcoming Paralympic games in Ghana.
The 25 players merited selection during a three-day tournament that came to a close today in Uasin Gishu County after enlisting 6 counties.Â
Nairobi County, who emerged the champions of the national trials after beating Kakamega County 1-0 at the finals, has nine of their players, making it to the provisional squadÂ
According to Kenyan Amputee Football Federation Technical Director Hashim Kamau, the 25-man team will be trimmed to the final 15 players ahead of the Paralympic games slated for September.
“From the 25 players, we will select the final team that will eventually represent the country in Ghana because we only need two teams of seven each. The announcing of the final team will take place at Kasarani when the team enters residential training,” said Kamau.
The national team also enlists 5 professional players who ply their trade in Turkey.
“Turkish league is one the most competitive league for amputee football, and we are glad some of the experienced players in our team play in Turkey,” he added.
Kamau says kenya’s preparation for similar tournaments has been hampered by a lack of support as some of the counties grappled with facilitation in Eldoret.
“During our last tournament in Mexico, the team barely had uniforms and were forced to use attires that were branded and supplied by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. There was a lot of public uproar but we hope things will be better this time,” reiterated Kamau.
The lack of a top-tier league for amputee football in the country was also cited by some players as the reason why Kenya struggles to impress in tournaments outside the country.
“If Kenya had a league like the one in Turkey, we would have a better team and performance. All we need is support to represent our country well,” said Muhammed Munga, who plays in Turkey.
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