Kenya targets seven gold medals at deaflympics in Turkey

It is less than two weeks to the start of the deaflympic games, and the Kenya team has stepped up preparation, doing the final touches before departure for Samsun, Turkey.

The national deaf athletics team has set their sight on surpassing the 2013 performance in Sofia, Bulgaria where they won a total of 17 medals; six gold, five silver and six bronze.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, the team’s coach Samuel Kibet noted that they have all it takes to earn more medals from the 31 athletes who will be participating in both track and field events.

“In 2013 we finished with 17 medals and this time round we have the desire and capability of winning more,” remarked Kibet.

The team began their residential camp two weeks ago at Moi Stadium, Kasarani but have been training at Nyayo Stadium since Kasarani is closed for  the upcoming World Under 18 Athletics championships to be hosted here in Kenya between 12-16 July.

“Our players are in good shape. We have been here for the past two weeks and up to now from the training and trials we have been doing they are responding very well,” said Kibet.

Deaflympics is an international Olympic Committee (IOC) event organized for deaf sportsmen and is held after every four years. It also has other games such as swimming, basketball, football and volleyball.

The Kenyan team that also comprises 2 golfers, 24 basketball players and 21 officials is set to jet off for Turkey on 12th July a week before the competition commence.

The competition is slated for July 18 to 30 which will mark the 23rd edition of the global showpiece.

By Gilbert Kiprotich