Africa is one of the world’s largest continents, comprising 54 countries. The African Rafting Council is on a mission to expand its membership by encouraging more countries to establish national rafting federations.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Rafting World Cup Series at Rapids Camp Sagana, African Rafting Council President Belabbas El Mamoun said more African nations should be participating in the continental showpiece.
“Frankly, with this being the first Rafting World Cup event held in Africa, I expected more African countries to take part. I would like to see 20, 30 or even 40 countries participating. We are now working to increase the number of rafting federations because we need supportive national sports federations, not just commercial rafting companies focused on tourism,” he said.
El Mamoun noted that Africa has the potential to compete with any other continent in the sport.
“We have nothing less than Europe, Asia or the Americas. We are equal. The proof is that we were here in Sagana last year for the first African Rafting Championship, and now we are hosting the Rafting World Cup Series.”
He also commended the Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, for its support of the Kenya Rafting Federation in preparations for the ongoing championship. The government helped procure more than 60 rafting boats, paddles and life jackets, significantly boosting the country’s capacity to host the event.
“The effort and support by the Kenyan government is commendable and exceptional. It has not been done by any other government in Africa. Other countries should emulate what Kenya has done to support and grow the sport of rafting across the continent,” added El Mamoun.
Looking ahead, the African Rafting Council plans to work with countries that have active rafting clubs but are yet to establish national federations.
“After these championships, I will work with my team and board to reach out to countries that do not yet have federations but have strong clubs. If you have six, seven or even ten clubs, you can present your documents to your Ministry of Sports, and the African Rafting Council will help advocate for the formation of a national federation. If we can establish two or three new federations every year, we will be on the right path to growing and developing the sport of rafting across Africa,” said Belabbas El Mamoun, President of the African Rafting Council.
