Kenya Rafting Federation has unveiled a Kenya Rafting team following a successful two-day vigorous selection exercise that took place at Rapids camp Sagana from Friday 19th -20th June.
A team of 56 athletes form the team that will compete in the Men, Women and Mixed categories in the fourth coming Rafting World Cup series. Over 128 athletes drawn from across the country took part the selection.
“The trials have showed us that we have a lot of talent especially among the youth who participated actively being under 23 years. That is the largest category of our athletes here” said June Muthoni, President Kenya Rafting Federation.
“This is deliberate, because we feel that the future of our sport and federation is the youth being a young President, it motivates the young athletes, who will help grow the sport and the Federation.” added Muthoni
“This is an opportunity to extended invitation especially to GenZ’s and young people to a brace a newย sports discipline that give them opportunity and is still less competitive” addedย William Kinuthia, KRF Secretary General and LOC chairman.
Ahead of the trials the team has been in Camp for the last two weeks under the stewardship of a foreign tactician coach Zeno Martini sharpening their Paddling and general Rafting skills. “Where we are now and when we were in Argentina 8 months ago there’s is a huge difference” Thanks to our coach from Italy and we shall be bringing another coach. The consistency training has really helped” said June Muthoni President KRF.
“The team will take a short break and resume for residential camp next week on the 25th till the Rafting World Cup series kicks off” William Kinuthia Sec Gen, KRF
Kenya is the host Nation for the Rafting World Cup series and will feature teams in all the three categories of Sprint, RX(RaftCross) and Slalom. According to William Kinuthia Sec Gen and LOC Chairman “We are at 90% in Preparation, accommodation, security, equipment and all are in place and in the next two weeks everything will be in place”.
The World Cup series will have 19 competing and 32 participating teams. Out of 19 teams, 13 are from Africa with the remaining 6 from Asia and Europe including former champions Japan and defending champions Portugal.
The Rafting World Cup series skated for 6th -12th July will have two actives; that isย African and World championship.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, KBC will be the official media Partner, streaming the event live during the competition.
