The first edition of the National Youth Deaf Athletics Championships is set to be held at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday and Friday this week.
Title sponsors Safaricom has committed Sh2.5 million towards the two-day event.
The Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya (DAAK) will use the event to select the team that will represent Kenya at the 1st Summer Deaflympics’ Youth Games to be held in Armenia in June 2019.
“We have put in place all the necessary measures to ensure the event is a success. It is all about giving deaf athletes the same opportunities for career growth as everyone else. We expect to select a strong team of 25 young talented deaf athletes that will help us cement our position as the best in the world,” said Benard Banja, Secretary General of DAAK.
The championship will feature track and field activities, including high jump, pole vault, long and triple jump, shot put, hammer, javelin, and discus.
Other events will include the 4×100 relay, 4X400 relay, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and 10,000m races.
“We are excited to be partnering with DAAK for the first ever Youth Deaf Athletics Championship. This is an amazing opportunity as it gives a platform to upcoming deaf athletes to showcase their talent and a chance to be selected for an international event,” said Sylvia Mulinge, Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom.
Crowd favorite Beryl Atieno Wamira who currently holds the women’s world youth record in the 100m and 200m events and was a silver medalist at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics together with other upcoming athletes are expected to compete for the coveted spots.