Kenya’s national women’s netball team, the Divas, opened their Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Africa Qualifier campaign with a 61-40 victory over Nigeria at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday.
The hosts made a strong start, taking a 19-9 lead in the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 37-20 at half-time.
Nigeria improved in the third quarter, outscoring Kenya 12-10, but the Divas maintained control to lead 47-32 going into the final quarter before completing the victory.
The result gives Kenya an early lead in Pool Two, which also features Malawi, Uganda and Zambia. Kenya will face Malawi at 2 p.m. on Sunday in their second pool match.
Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports CS Salim Mvurya, in a speech read on his behalf by Secretary of Administration for the State Department for Sports Josephine Ouko during the opening ceremony, highlighted Kenya’s capacity to stage major international sporting events.
Mvurya noted that the championship would provide an opportunity to showcase Kenya’s sporting facilities, hospitality, cultural diversity and tourism attractions.
The Government, he added, remains committed to talent development, sports excellence, gender inclusion and youth empowerment through sport, noting that the benefits of hosting major sporting events extended beyond competition and medals.
The CS urged the participating athletes to compete with determination, discipline and respect for their opponents and officials.
“For many of you, this tournament represents an important step towards the Netball World Cup,” Mvurya said.
He described sports as an important platform for bringing people together and strengthening friendship, unity and cooperation among African nations.
Kenya captain Parin “Sister” Simiyu attributed the team’s performance to improved transition play and the support of the home crowd.
“Our major problem has been transition, but we worked on it, and, upon that, we thank God because the victory is ours,” Simiyu said.
She thanked Kenyans for turning out to support the team, saying the home crowd had given the players an added boost.
The competition, which runs from September 19 to 26, is serving as the African regional qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.
World Netball says 10 teams are taking part in the African qualifier, with Kenya hosting Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The top two teams will be invited to compete at the 2027 Netball World Cup, although South Africa and Uganda have already qualified through their world ranking. If either finishes among the top two in Nairobi, the next eligible team will take the available qualification place.
Kenya Netball Federation President Immaculate Kabutha welcomed the participating teams and said the championship would provide an opportunity for African countries to strengthen relations and promote the development of netball on the continent.
She urged the participating teams to compete with discipline, fair play and mutual respect.
Kabutha acknowledged World Netball and South Africa for their contribution to the development of netball in Kenya, particularly the donation of the wooden playing surface at Kasarani following the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
She said the facility was a lasting investment in Kenyan and African netball, providing athletes with an environment that reflects international standards.
Kabutha called on Kenyans to turn out in large numbers and support the participating teams, particularly the national side.
“We call upon you to come out in large numbers to stand and support our athletes,” she said.
The Africa qualifier is part of the regional qualification process for the 2027 Netball World Cup, with the Nairobi competition providing two qualification opportunities to eligible African teams.
By Nancy Omondi
