Sport in Kenya is an important element of Kenyan culture. Various indigenous traditional sports have prevailed in Kenyan culture from its earliest history.
Some of the traditional games and sports prevalent in Kenya since antiquity have included wrestling, racing exercises, stick fights, hunting (using spears and arrows), board games, bullfights, and dances
Kenya is one of the founding nations of the East African Community and sports have been part of the nation’s culture since its prehistory. Sports is a way for the Kenyan to reconnect with their past and is also a means to get international acknowledgment.
Today, many sports are popular in Kenya, played both professionally and as recreational physical activities. Sports played in Kenya today include athletics (track & field and other running events), cricket, field hockey, motorsports, Association football, rugby union, volleyball, basketball, swimming and diving, team handball, netball, rounders, baseball, shooting, softball, bicycling, martial arts (boxing, Shotokan karate, Goju Ryu karate, Shorin Ryu karate, kickboxing, judo, Mantis Kenpo and taekwondo), Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Squash, Badminton, Golf, Canoeing, Chess, Goal Ball, Horse Riding/Equestrianism, Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Archery, Roller Sports, Ice Hockey and Mountain Sports – Kenya. Globally, Kenya is mainly known for its dominance in middle-distance and long-distance races.
Kenya competed at the 2019 African Games held from 19 to 31 August 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. In total 290 athletes were scheduled to represent Kenya at 12th edition of the African Games. This later dropped to 259 athletes. Athletes representing Kenya won 11 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 10 bronze medals and the country finished 7th in the medal table.
There are a lot of Kenyans who have made a name for themselves such as David Rudisha, a World Record Holder for 800m and is one of the most dominant world champions. Kenya has racked up an impressive medal count in the Olympic Games thanks to its runners like Pamela Jalimo and Samuel Wanjiru. Kenya is also a world power when it comes to long-distance running with a roster of world record holders including Kipchoge Keino, Tegla Laroupe, Catherine Ndereba, and Paul Tergat.
Below are some of the popular sports in Kenya today:
- Football
- Athletics
- Basketball
- Car Racing
- Volleyball
- Hockey
- Archery
- Rugby Union
- Swimming
- Boxing
- Handball
- Netball
- Weightlifting
- Baseball
- Softball
- Chess
- Golf
- Karate
- Kickboxing
- Taekwondo
Sports can be done for professional purposes or just for recreational purposes. Are you up to the challenge? It’s healthy to engage in sports, get that body sweaty and your mind active and healthy.