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Kenya has registered mixed results in their quest to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic games in France during the first edition of the Africa Para Games in Ghana.

However, despite the rough going, Jane Ndenga and Phoebe Masika in the doubles wheelchair lawn tennis displayed an array of confidence and good technical abilities on Friday just to narrowly lose in the finals to eventual gold medalists winners Morocco.

“ We are all happy for that medal. These competitions are tough and require both physical and mental fitness depending on how well you have been preparing, “ said team manager John Tita adding that Kenya still have hopes with the wheel chair basketball teams for both men and women who’s competitions are still on going.

The men’s amputee football team finished seventh after winning only a game at the inaugural African showcase competition.

The Dalmas Otieno led side lost their first game against Rwanda 2-1 at the MC Dan LA Town Park Stadium on September 5th, lost against Egypt 2-0 the following day and had a bitter group B ending when Angola thrashed them 5-2 on September 7th.

Kenya met Uganda who were the best losers from group A on Friday and made mince meat out of them when Mohammed Munga hit a brace as  Nicholas Keiyo and Eugene Batu each scored one to settle the scores at 4-0, a fete that managed Kenya to finish the competition ranked at seventh place.

In the wheel chair basketball, the games local organizing committee announced during the opening ceremony that 

due to the forced withdrawal of Nigeria after their Government withdrew their support on the day of travel, the men’s competition will now have two groups and the women’s will be played as one group.

This meant that Kenya had to battle it out against  African champions Algeria, then later Zambia, Ghana, South Africa, DR Congo and Morocco in the women’s category while the men were pooled in group B together with Egypt, Senegal, South Africa and  Angola.

Kenya women’s team lost to Algeria 98-8 on day one of the event as the men’s team also started out badly by losing 103-22 against Senegal on day two.

Kenya’s men’s team were unlucky again on day four when they were whipped 77-25 by Egypt then outscored by Angola 40-70 on day five as their ladies counterparts also lost 15-48 against South Africa.

Day six saw the women’s team fighting hard only to narrowly lose to Morocco by the buzzer 25-22 , but the following day which was the final day of the preliminary stages on Sunday, Kenya took on zambia for their first win at the competition 37-33 but it was unfortunate for the men who challenged a tricky South Africa and lost 71-38 hence bowing out of the competition without a win.

Kenya Paralympic Committee ( KNPC) ‘s leadership led by chairperson Ronald Milare who was the head of delegation has now promised to push the government for more support that will see Kenyan para athletes prepare adequately for such events something that will increase the chances of qualifying for global events like the Olympics.