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'Place in 2032 Olympics' - Kenya Aquatics dreaming big after addition of new sport
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 22.05.25. | 15:37
It was only in October last year when a groundbreaking water polo coaching clinic was held, to Kenya hosting a national event
Kenya Aquatics President Dr. Maureen Owiti believes the country can field a competitive water-polo team in the 2032 Olympics, following the federation’s historic hosting of a national event for the sport this past weekend.
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Kenya Aquatics, for the first time ever, hosted a national water-polo tournament at Rosslyn Academy, marking a defining moment for the sport in the country.
Having been one of the key pillars for the new administration, the federation was finally able to move past in-house competitions seen last year at Mpesa Foundation Academy, to finally hosting a top event that attracted the Kenya national team and schools participating in age-group categories.
Hosts Rosslyn Academy came top in both the Under 14 and Under 17 categories, pipping closest rivals West Nairobi School.
The national team, Aqua Mambas, were split into two sides - Team A and Team B, getting involved in a highly exciting exhibition match that the former won, but most importantly, giving a glimpse of the sport’s future.
“This is such a big step for us,” Owiti said after the event that also brought together USA Water polo referee Bob Casper and Doug Munz, a former US national team player, currently serving as Aquatics Director at Rosslyn Academy.
“We’ve always believed in the potential of the sport. With the right support and continued development, we can one day compete at the international level.”
Asked how soon, she added: “With support from schools, counties and universities, I truly believe Kenya can field a competitive team by the 2032 Olympics.”
With one event now ticked off the bucket list, it is Owiti’s expectation that the sport will now find a way into the national swimming calendar.
“We’ve long envisioned a future where water polo would be a part of our national aquatics identity,” she said.
“We are committing to integrating it into the annual calendar, along with plans to train coaches in partnership with local and international institutions.”
What is Water Polo?
Water polo is a competitive team sport played in water between two teams of seven players each (six field players and one goalkeeper).
The game consists of four quarters in which the teams attempt to score goals by throwing the ball into the opposing team's goal.
The team with more goals at the end of the game wins the match.
It is typically played in an all-deep pool where players cannot touch the bottom.
