Anthony Maina, a member of the Kenyan team. Photo/Newsflash
By Wanderi Kamau
As the countdown begins for the highly anticipated African Rafting Championships, participating teams are stepping up their preparations with unmatched zeal and focus.
The championships, scheduled to run from July 14th to 20th at the picturesque Rapid Camp in Riandira, Sagana — along the Sagana-Makutano highway — have attracted top rafting talent from across the continent, each team hoping to clinch top honors and qualify for the global stage.
For the past month, Team Kenya has been training rigorously at the stunning Kirengete Falls located within Rapid Camp, which lies along the Sagana River.
With the home advantage and familiarity with the terrain, the Kenyan side is eyeing the title with fierce determination.
According to Anthony Maina, a member of Team Kenya, their daily training regime has been intense as they prepare to take on the best in Africa.
“I would like to tell our competitors to come prepared, because we are really prepared to face them,” said Maina.
Regional rivals gearing up
But it’s not just the Kenyan team that’s taking things seriously. Teams from across Africa have rolled out their own aggressive training routines, determined to give the hosts a run for their money.
For Eric Mbabazi from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the focus is not just on participation but on securing the championship.
“We are ready to take the trophy back home,” said Mbabazi, who also captains his team.
Read more: Kenya to host inaugural African Rafting Championships in Sagana
Ndavarishe Etienne from Rwanda echoed similar confidence, noting that his team has been putting in serious effort.
“We have prepared very well. We have been doing training in Rwanda. Today, we had come to visit Kenya as a familiarization move. We are ready to win. We are sure we shall win,” Etienne told Newsflash.
“Like Kenya, we have just began this game, but we have improved a lot,” he added.
South Sudan is also fielding both men’s and women’s teams, with training already underway. Their captain, Reat Mike, expressed optimism about their chances.
“For South Sudan, we have two groups – for men and women. We have been training since last week. We are optimistic that we shall emerge the winner or one of the best teams,” said Reat.
He also looked beyond the Sagana event, expressing hope that his team will qualify for the Senior World Rafting Championships 2025. The global contest will be held from November 3rd to 9th in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.
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