Kenyan team to Africa Beach Games in Tunisia flagged off

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Arts, and Sports, Hon. Ababu Namwamba on Wednesday officially flagged off the team expected to represent Kenya in the 2nd edition of the Africa Beach Games scheduled for 23-30 June in Hammamet, Tunisia.

Team Kenya will be represented by 74 talented athletes across seven sports disciplines including; 3x3 basketball for men and women in the U23 category, men and women Beach Marathon, Beach Handball for both male and female teams who have already arrived in Tunisia, Beach Tennis featuring doubles matches for men, women, and mixed teams, beach wrestling, beach soccer for men and women playing in the 5-aside format, ocean water kayaking, and ocean water sprint rowing.

"As you go forth to represent our nation, I want to assure you of the full support of the government,” CS Ababu Namwamba said in the flagging off ceremony that was also attended by first Deputy President, Shadrack Maluki and Executive member Paul Otula. “We have invested Ksh. 170 million in the team's preparations, ensuring you have been in camps in Malindi and Nairobi to adequately prepare. I have no doubt that you will deliver an outstanding performance."

The Kenyan athletes have been diligently preparing for the games, with basketball training taking place at Umoja Courts in Nairobi, with wrestling training held at Strathmore University.

"We sincerely thank the Cabinet Secretary for his kind words and unwavering support to Team Kenya. We have full confidence that the team will make the entire nation proud,” a statement from Otula and Maluki read.

At the same time, Brian Ziruel, the captain of the 3X3 U23 Basketball men's team, expressed his gratitude for the support received, saying, "Representing your country internationally is a dream come true for every basketball player. The presence of the Cabinet Secretary at this early stage to bid us farewell and flag us off is a tremendous motivation for the team."

As part of the recent developments revolving around the government's reward scheme for athletes through the Talanta Hela initiative, Ababu Namwamba added that the team’s efforts would be recognized and rewarded.

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“Go out there and give your best, knowing that the entire nation and the government stand behind you."

The Africa Games will act as a qualifier for the World Beach Games billed for Bali, Indonesia, from 5 to 12 August 2023.