Wheelchair basketball federation cries foul over deplorable training facilities

Kenya Wheelchair Basketball Federation (KWBF) has expressed frustration regarding the poor state of training facilities as the national teams prepare for the Africa U-25 Women Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Glascow Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Angola next month.

Speaking from their training base at Moi International Sports Center (MISC) Kasarani, federation president Alfred Simiyu Barasa was unhappy with the treatment of his charges arguing that if the government wants better results from its athletes, then it must invest in quality facilities, preparation and better treatment.

“The management of Kasarani has denied us access to the main arena which is user friendly to Persons With Disabilities (PWD'S),” Simiyu retorted.

“Whatever has been availed to us has a wooden floor that is delapidated, the toilets available have stairs, the main entrance has no ramp, so how will these athletes access the facility?” Simiyu paused.

The federation has augmented its technical bench by roping in American wheelchair basketball coach Roland Sanders from Houston Texas to handle the 3×3 and 5×5 teams for the Kinshasa and Angola assignments as well as the Under 25 women’s side, that will participate in the 2026 Glascow Commonwealth Games qualifiers.

"I am happy to be here, the hospitality is on another level, the talents and intensity is what I did not expect. We just need the government to work on better facilities for training," Sanders said.

Simiyu’s 3×3 and 5×5 charges will be preparing for the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Africa Championships in Luanda, March 27 – April 4 2026, a battle of top Africa’s men and women who will be seeking a ticket for the 2026 Glascow Commonwealth Games and also the World Championships in Ottawa the same year.

The 3×3 Wheel chair basketball teams will be Looking to have a team of six men and six ladies each while the 5×5 team will have 12 men and 12 ladies apiece for each team.

Kenya will also send a women’s team consisting of 12 players to the African U-25 Championship in Kinshasa, a qualifier that will help determine which teams might compete for qualification spots to the senior 2026 World Championships in Ottawa.

With the athletes’ determination to represent Kenya to these global events, all eyes now are on KWBF, as they seek government facilitation to ensure that all wheels run smooth and Kenya comes back home with glory.