Kenya Baseball5 team eyes podium finish at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Kenya’s Baseball5 team is stepping up preparations for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, with the squad setting its sights on a podium finish as it prepares to fly the country’s flag on the global stage.

The Kenyan side is banking on its recent international exposure, coupled with ongoing training, to sharpen its competitiveness ahead of the highly anticipated competition.

The team recently returned from Botswana, where it gained valuable international experience that the technical bench believes will be crucial in preparing the players for the demands of the Olympic stage.

Head coach Joe Wangicho says preparations have been positive, pointing to the team’s international exposure as a major boost to its readiness and confidence ahead of the Games.

Wangicho believes the experience gained will help the players improve their tactical awareness, teamwork, and ability to compete against some of the best young teams in the world.

Baseball5 Kenya Secretary General Patrick Ndunda has also expressed confidence in the squad, describing it as a team to watch out for in Dakar. Ndunda believes the players have the potential to deliver an impressive performance and put Kenya firmly in contention for a podium finish.

Kenya will begin its campaign against France on October 30 before facing Mexico on October 31.

The team will then conclude its group-stage matches against Syria, with the primary objective of securing a place in the knockout rounds.

Kenya and Senegal will be the two African representatives in the Baseball5 competition, providing an opportunity for the continent to showcase its growing talent in the fast-paced discipline.

Before travelling to Senegal, the Kenyan squad is expected to head to Mombasa for a residential training camp, where the focus will be on fine-tuning preparations, strengthening team cohesion and ensuring the players are physically and mentally ready for the challenge.

With the countdown to Dakar gathering pace, Kenya’s Baseball5 team will be hoping to translate its preparations and international experience into a strong performance and a place on the Olympic podium.