NAIROBI – Kenya will start the inaugural water polo league by December, officials announced on Friday.
Vincent Gichamba, founder of the game in the country who is tasked by the Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) to revive water polo said they were already on an awareness campaign to mobilize formation of teams before the commencement of a national league.
“We anticipate to have at least 10 clubs formed before we start the inaugural league in the country possibly by December this year after which we shall play against Uganda in an international friendly by the end of the year,” he said.
Patrick Muya, chairman of KSF, said that they will use the forthcoming Africa Zone Three Swimming Championships, which is scheduled in November in Nairobi, to expose, popularize and exhibit the sport in the East Africa region.
“We shall invite one or two countries in the region or ask some participating countries in the championships to form teams drawn from their swimmers for a water polo event exhibition to promote the game,” Muya said.
The initiative to revive the sport was mooted by Muya, who said that Kenya will not feature in international competitions, but will first seek to gain exposure and experience through regional event once the local league is active.
The sport became dormant after Kenya’s last participation at the 2009 FINA world water polo development trophy in Kuwait where the country finished last in the 12-country competition.
