Kenya banking on experience for strong deaflympics show in Tokyo
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 21.10.25. | 11:57
This will be Kenya’s second appearance at the quadrennial multi-sport event after making their debut in 2022 in Caxias do Sul, Brazil
Kenya is banking on players’ experience and familiarity with one another to deliver a strong performance in men’s handball at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, scheduled for 15 to 26 November.
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This will be Kenya’s second appearance at the quadrennial multi-sport event after debuting in 2022, in Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
The team is placed in Group “B” alongside; Croatia, Serbia, and France, while Group “A” consists of; Japan, Germany, Turkey, and Brazil.
With barely a month remaining before the Games begin, Kenya’s 18-man squad has intensified its preparations at the Nyayo National Stadium, in Nairobi, under the guidance of experienced coach, Jack Habert.
“The only reinforcement I have made in the team is the inclusion of about five young players, but it is mainly composed of the old guards who have played together for a long time and know each other well,” said Habert.
“This is why I am confident in this team because they understand one another and have strong playing chemistry,” he added.
Having finished fifth at the 2018 World Deaf Handball Championships in Brazil and sixth at the last Deaflympics, Habert said the team’s target in Tokyo is a podium finish.
“The first time we participated in the World Championships, we were fifth. In the last Deaflympics, we finished sixth. So our target this time is to reach the podium,” he said.
Kenya qualified for the Tokyo Deaflympics by virtue of being the African champions.
Habert said the focus now is on raising the team’s intensity.
“We started preparations a long time ago. Now we just need to polish the team to reach Deaflympics standards. We want to make it more intense to match the other top teams at that level,” he explained.
Still reveling in his appointment as team captain, Joel Kiilu said he is ready to lead the team to victory.
He noted that they have incorporated key lessons learned from the 2018 World Deaf Handball Championships and the last Deaflympics into their training.
“I feel good being named the team’s captain. It is a huge opportunity, and I am ready to lead the team to victory,” said Kiilu.
“In the World Deaf Handball Championships in Brazil and the last Deaflympics, we performed well and learned a lot. We have improved our attack and overall game.
Our eyes are wide open, and we are heading to the Deaflympics much stronger and better prepared. I am sure a medal is coming home with us,” he added.
Kiilu said the team fears no opponent. “I do not think it is going to be tough because we have studied how our opponents play. We are ready for Serbia. We have not faced Croatia yet, but we have analyzed their tactics, and they are not far ahead of us. Kenya will do its best, and we are not afraid at all,” said the captain.
