By Eddah Waithaka
Kenya announced it is fully prepared to host the World Under-21 Taekwondo Championships, with more than 80 countries set to descend on Nairobi for the global event later this year.
The Kenya Taekwondo Federation (KTF) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports made the announcement today, simultaneously unveiling the 16-member Team Kenya and reaffirming the championship’s carbon-neutral theme: “Taekwondo Values For Climate Action.”
At a press briefing in Nairobi, KTF President Major (Rtd) Suleiman Sumba confirmed the country’s organizational, technical, and infrastructural readiness.
His announcement followed a successful inspection by World Taekwondo officials, who last weekend praised Kenya’s facilities as “world-class.”
“Kenya is ready. Our athletes, venues, and support systems have all met international benchmarks,” stated Major Sumba. “Hosting the world under this theme demonstrates that sport can be a catalyst for both human excellence and environmental consciousness.”
The federation is embedding this sustainability theme into the event’s core. Through its official sustainability partner, the TBL Go Green Initiative, the KTF aims to deliver a fully carbon-neutral championship.
The effort includes an ambitious tree-planting initiative, #KenyaYetuMsituWetu, which targets 11,000 trees and aligns with the national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Jeff Kefa, Director of the TBL Go Green Initiative, emphasized, “This event shows that sport can lead the climate action agenda. Every match and every medal will leave a positive imprint on the planet.”
The championships will cement Kenya’s reputation as a premier host for major sporting events, drawing over 1,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from approximately 140 nations, including powerhouses like South Korea, Brazil, and Egypt.
As part of their final preparations, the unveiled Team Kenya comprising eight boys and eight girls has already entered a high-performance residential training camp.
The squad will first compete at the African Series Championships in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, starting November 15th, to sharpen their skills before defending their home ground.
“Our team is in top shape and ready to make Kenya proud,” Major Sumba added.Jackson Munywoki, Principal Sports Officer, reiterated the government’s full support for the event.
“This championship exemplifies Kenya’s growing stature in global sport management,” Munywoki said. “It underscores the government’s commitment to positioning sport as a vehicle for youth development, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.”
With logistical preparations in their final stages, the KTF assures that accreditation, transport, and venue operations all meet international standards.
The federation has now opened media registration through its official accreditation portal, inviting local and international press to cover the landmark event.
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