Team Kenya Cuts Seven Sports Ahead of Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics Due to Budget Constraints

Team Kenya officials have confirmed that the country’s representation at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics, scheduled for November 15 to 26, will be reduced from twelve to five sports disciplines. The decision comes amid budget limitations, forcing officials to drop several teams despite their preparation and enthusiasm.

Originally, Kenya had planned to participate in 12 sports but the final lineup will now include athletics, swimming, women’s basketball, men’s handball and golf. The teams that have been cut are women’s volleyball, women’s football, cycling, tennis, table tennis, badminton and bowling.

Addressing journalists at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Team Kenya Chief Executive Officer Duncan Kuria explained that the decision was purely financial. “Initially, we had a contingent covering 12 disciplines but after discussions with the Ministry of Sports, we had to reduce the number of teams. This was a money decision, not about undervaluing any sport or doubting their medal potential,” said Kuria, a retired Kenyan boxing legend.

Kuria said the selection of which teams to retain was based on international experience and prior performances at major championships. Teams with prior exposure at the Deaflympics or World Championships were prioritized to enhance Kenya’s medal prospects. He added that the lack of African Deaf Championships had disadvantaged some of the excluded teams, highlighting bowling as a sport that had shown promise but lacked sufficient international exposure.

Regarding women’s football, Kuria explained that the team’s performance in the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil influenced the decision to exclude them this year.“It was not our wish to drop these teams. I had hoped to include more disciplines to give athletes international exposure but budget realities forced tough decisions,” Kuria noted.

Bernard Banja, Team Kenya Chief de Mission, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that a lean budget – strained by events like CHAN and World Cup qualifiers – necessitated difficult choices.

The officials assured that athletes from the dropped teams will receive refunds for audiogram tests and confirmed that 177 athletes will now represent Kenya in Tokyo. Training for the contingent began on Sunday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as the country prepares to compete on the global stage.

Despite the reductions, Team Kenya remains focused on maximizing performance and showcasing its top athletes at the Deaflympics.