By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Team Kenya is ready for the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games that get underway on Wednesday with the opening ceremony at the Iconic Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées in Paris, France.
Just like the just concluded Olympic Games in the French capital, the ground breaking opening ceremony will take place outside the confines of a traditional stadium.
Team captain Samwel Mushai and his deputy Asiya Sururu will be the flag bearers for Kenya that is being represented by 13 athletes and seven guides.
At the same time, former Kenya Sevens international Oscar Dennis, now a para-cyclist, has replaced injured Benson Mwaniki as Kennedy Ogada’s guide in tandem road race B1 (completely blind).
Team Kenya for the Games is sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Safaricom, East African Breweries and Asics.
Dennis, who trains both in South Africa and Europe was unveiled on Tuesday by Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC) Secretary General, Stanley Mutuma, who is also an international para-cyclist in tandem category.
“Team Kenya is ready and this is what we have been preparing for. We are upbeat, the mood in good and the athletes are ready for the opening ceremony before we get down to business on Thursday,” said Mutuma.
Mutuma is happy that Kenya, for the first time, is being represented in more disciplines, five of them; the traditional athletics, rowing and powerlifting and cycling. Taekwondo and cycling are taking part for the first time.
Mutuma said that the athletes have acclimatised enough, having been in France for at least three weeks starting with their pre- games camp in Compiegne, north of Paris on August 8.
Mutuma said that he is glad Dennis has joined Team Kenya in camp and will have some days to get acquainted with Ogada, who will compete in B1 on September 4.
Ogada and his pilot Mwaniki were involved in a freak accident while training in Compiegne but Ogada emerged unscathed. “It’s unfortunate Mwaniki sustained some back and shoulder injuries that have ruled him out,” said Mutuma, adding that Mwaniki will take six weeks to fully recover.
“I whole-heartedly and warmly welcome Dennis to the team. He really wanted to be here in triathlon but was not graded on time,” Mutuma disclosed. “He is not new to the sport, having played rugby to the highest level before embracing para-cycling after an accident.”
Dennis described it as dream come true for him saying that God’s time is always the best.
Dennis, former Nondies centre, was knocked down by a hit-and-run incident while cycling in Karen in November, 2020, an accident that ended his rugby career.
Dennis, 28, moved to South Africa where he took up cycling mainly triathlon. “I really wanted to represent Kenya at Paris Paralympics in triathlon but wasn’t graded on. I am now here as a guide, which is unbelievable,” said Dennis, who is looking forward to get in synch with Ogada. “We are training together and things look good.”
On Ireri, who is the reigning Africa champion in track and road in C3 (one leg cycling) Mutuma explained that he had a pre-existing back condition and the organisers advised for his withdrawal. “We didn’t want to take chance. We shall take Ireri through advance treatment in Kenya before we can have him compete with ease again,” said Mutuma.
Team:
Athletics:
Women: Mercy Njoroge (guide, James Boit), Nancy Chelangat (Guide-Geoffrey Rotich), Priscah Jepkemei (Guide-Kenneth Lagat)-1,500m T11.
Sheila Wanyonyi( javelin-F12)
Rowing: Asiya Sururu (Single sculls)
Taekwondo: Julieta Moipo (under-57kgs), Stency Neema (under-52kgs)
Powerlifting: Hellen Wawira (under-41kgs)
Men: Wesley Sang 1,500m (T46), Samwel Mushai (Guide, Jean Kipchumba) 5,000m T11, Samson Ojuka (long jump -T11), John Lokedi 5,000m-T13.
Cycling: Kennedy Ogada (Guide, Dennis Oscar) B1.
