Kenya is set to field two teams,  basketball and athletics, in their debut at the World School Games scheduled from October 17 to 24 in Jinjiang, China, if no changes are effected due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

In an International Schools Federation (ISF) general assembly held in Serbia in early thais month, Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) was allocated the slots to the games that will see students compete in more than 22 disciplines. 

“Owing to the outbreak of the virus worldwide, ISF is monitoring the situation and will advise, after consultations with member associations, on whether the games will go on as planned or not based on the containment of the virus’ spread globally, “ said KSSSA secretary general David Ngugi, who was also elected as an executive member in the ISF during their general assembly. 

He added: “Kenya was to field a boys’ basketball team and five participants in athletics. However, things could change depending on how this situation puns out so we will wait for official communication from ISF.

With the games scheduled for October, KSSSA was to meet to make a decision on the selection process, whether to use the 2019 or 2020 winners to the games, but that was also put on hold.” 

Kenya has never participated in the biennial championship since its inception in 1974 owing to lack of sponsorship. However, the 2020 edition’s hosts, China, pledged to cater for accommodation as well as 80 per cent of all travel costs for African teams thus handing Kenyan teams a lifeline to feature for the first time.  

This year’s edition of the KSSSA term one games, which include basketball, handball, hockey, rugby sevens and 15s, racquet games, swimming and athletics were put on hold two weeks ago when the first case if Covid-19 was reported in the country.

The national term one games were slated for next month at Kapsabet while term two national and this year’s East Africa competitions were set to be held in western Kenya.