Nairobi: The Head of the Directorate of Field Coordination and Co-Curricular Activities at the Ministry of Education, Nelson Sifuna, has officially flagged off Kenyan athletes for the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools (FEASSA) Games. About 1,800 athletes drawn from primary and secondary schools across Kenya will participate in the 22nd edition of the FEASSA Games, scheduled to take place from August 14th to 22nd in Kakamega County.
According to Kenya News Agency, this year's FEASSA Games will see athletes competing in 19 disciplines, including badminton, athletics, basketball 3‚¬Å¡¬€š¬3, basketball 5‚¬Å¡¬€š¬5, football, rugby 15s, rugby 7s, table tennis, handball, lawn tennis, volleyball, hockey, lacrosse, cricket, netball, beach soccer, scrabble, beach volleyball, and chess. Additionally, sports for special needs education learners, such as showdown, goalball, blind football, and futsal, have been adapted from regular sports to ensure inclusivity.
Sifuna highlighted the introduction of new sports disciplines to the FEASSA Games, including scrabble, chess, beach soccer, and beach volleyball. Furthermore, cricket and lacrosse will be featured for the first time as demonstration sports, offering athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills in these areas.
He also encouraged the athletes by referencing Kenya's recent sporting achievements. "As we stand here, know that you are going to participate in the games at a time when Kenya is shining. You are aware that on Sunday, when some were expecting a defeat from Morocco, Harambee Stars proved them wrong," he remarked. Sifuna emphasized the importance of national pride and the support from the highest levels of government, noting the President's excitement and commitment ahead of the upcoming match against Zambia.