The National Paravolleyball Federation President Doris Atieno has accused counties of overlooking sport events involving People with Disabilities (PWDs).
She claimed that county governments spent colossal amounts of money on other sports but are reluctant to extend the same to similar events meant for persons living with physical challenges.
Atieno expressed fears that the trend was discriminatory, citing this year’s national Paravolleyball trials that kicked off last Thursday, in which only 13 out of the 47 counties sent teams.
“Other sporting activities are receiving all the necessary support from both the national and county governments. Those of PWDs are struggling to get funding,” lamented Atieno while addressing the media in Wote Town on Saturday.
Among the counties that sent teams to this year’s national Paravolleyball trials are Makueni, Bungoma, Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Migori, Meru, Laikipia, Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru counties.
Speaking at the event held at Makueni Girls High School, Makueni County Director of Sports Ambrose Kisoi noted that Makueni has made deliberate efforts to fund sports involving people with disabilities at the grassroots to ensure everyone has an opportunity to grow their talents.
“The county has, in the past years, contributed a large contingent to the national teams to participate in the International Paralympic Games,” said Kisoi.
The trials will be used to select Kenya’s national Paravolleyball team for 2026 to compete in the Paravolleyball Championships in China.
by Patrick Nyakundi
