Charles Waitherero, president of the Kenya Sports Association for the Visually Impaired, has advocated for increased investment in goalball by the government to elevate the sport in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday after witnessing Kenya’s women’s goalball team secure a 9-7 victory over Pakistan in the ongoing tournament in Thika Town, Kiambu County, Waitherero emphasized Kenya’s demonstrated prowess and potential in goalball.
He urged the government to establish structures to support and grow the sport, which is specifically designed for visually impaired individuals.
“I challenge the government and the private sector to invest in constructing and upgrading facilities to provide a conducive environment for training and competitions. Such investments would not only benefit goalball but also other sports for the visually impaired,” he highlighted.
This marked the first occasion the Pakistani women’s team played outside their home country, and the friendly matches are doubling up as a platform to foster international relations between the two countries.
Kenya’s team captain Everlyne Kalunda expressed confidence in her team’s abilities, adding that the federation should embark on a nationwide campaign to popularise the sport in the country.
“We are talented but if we are not well supported, then our performance will drop and our morale will be killed.’’
Charles Waitherero extended her call to action to other visually impaired individuals, encouraging them to participate in various sports and explore their potential.
Pakistani head coach Shehzad Javed commended the Kenyan team, recognizing their skill and competitive spirit. He noted that Kenya has the potential to compete internationally, given their current performance and dedication.
“Both teams look like they are on the same level, and I believe in the future, the two teams will become better and challenge other countries at higher levels,” he said.
For the Pakistani players, this tour was a significant step in their sporting careers, providing invaluable experience and exposure to different playing styles and strategies in an international setting.
The final whistle in the series of friendly matches will be blown on Friday, when the Pakistani ambassador to Kenya will award the winners.
