Nigeria is the only team that has confirmed participation in the African
deaf paralympics qualifiers that will be held at the Nyayo National
stadium from 21st to 26th of February and with only 4 days to the
tournament, Kenya’s interpreter Douglas Okeyo is taking nothing for
granted as the team concentrates on their final training.
Mali
the other participant are yet to confirm whether they will be taking
part in the tournament, something Mr. Okeyo said will not alter their
preparation and possible sole ticket to the 2013 Paralympics’ that
will be staged in Budapest, Hungary.
“If Mali does not turn up,
the tournament will still go on ,this means Kenya will have to play
twice against Nigeria to confirm who qualifies for the deaflympic”, said
Okeyo
The game is played by 5 players but the government has
catered for the 14 players currently in camp. The team will be meaning
they will be in camp till the 20th of February a day before the
tournament commences.
“We were given a sum of 2million Kenyan
shilling, and other training equipment, though we are still lucking some
equipments, the training is going on smoothly, we have in camp since
7th of February and the spirit in the players is high, “he said
Uganda and Tanzania the guests teams invited to boost the level of the competition are also yet to confirm their participation.
The
tournament will start on 21st February but will be opened officially
22nd of February by youths and sports assistant minister Kabando Wa
Kabando
Full list of the Kenyan players in camp:
Caleb
Kabaka, Daniel Ochola, Peter Kagotho, Javis Manyasi, Calvin Musalia,
Elvis Odhiambo, Victor Ogunga, Dickson Juma, Brian Wainaina, Boniface
Odhiambo, Charles Ngugi, Khalifa Hassan, timothy Kamau and Ben Biketi
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