Sport in Kenya

Sport is an important element of Kenyan culture. Various indigenous traditional sports have prevailed in Kenyan culture from its earliest history.^[1] Some of the traditional games and sports prevalent in Kenya since antiquity have included wrestling, racing exercises, stick fights, hunting (using spears and arrows), board games, bull fights and dances.^[2]

Most modern sports in Kenya owe credit to the British colonisation.^[3] Professional teams in form of clubs were organised by colonial British settlers and Asian contractors as early as 1922, before the establishment of formal schools.^[4] Sports were introduced in schools in 1925. The syllabus for teaching sport through physical training in schools (extracurricular activity) was produced in 1935.^[5] Football^[6] and athletics (track and field)^[7] respectively were the first sports to be professionally organized.

Today, many sports are popular in Kenya, played both professionally and as recreational physical activities. The most popular sport in Kenya is football. Sports played in Kenya today include athletics (track & field and other running events), cricket, field hockey, motor sports, Association football, rugby union, volleyball, basketball, swimming and diving, team handball, netball, rounders, baseball, shooting, softball, bicycling, martial arts (boxing, Shotokan karate, Goju Ryu karate, Shorin Ryu karate, kickboxing, judo, Mantis kenPo and taekwondo), Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Squash, Badminton, Golf, Canoeing, Chess, Goal Ball, Horse Riding/Equestrianism, Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Archery, Roller Sports, Ice Hockey and Mountain Sports – Kenya. Globally, Kenya is mainly known for its dominance in middle-distance and long-distance races.^[7]

^ Wanderi, M. (2006). The traditional games of Africa: Directions and challenges in their promotion and formalization. International Journal of Physical Education, 43(1), 31–38.
^ Nyaga, L. R. K. (2011). Valued Outcomes in Youth Sport Programs in Kenya: Towards the Government’s Vision 2030. Doctoral Dissertation. Springfield College, Massachusetts, USA.
^ Godia, G. (1989). Sport in Kenya. In E. A. Wagner (Ed.). Sport in Asia and Africa: A comparative handbook (pp. 267–281). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, Inc.
^ Kanyiba Nyaga, L. R. (2011). The History of Sports in Kenya. Unpublished Book Manuscript
^ Wamukoya, E., & Hardman, K. (1992). Physical education in Kenyan secondary schools. British Journal of Physical Education, 23(4), 30–33.
^ Njororai, W. (2009). Colonial legacy, minorities and association football in Kenya. Soccer & Society, 10(6), 866–882
^ ^a ^b Nyaga, L. R. K. (2008). Management of middle and long distance elite runners in Kenya. Master’s thesis. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

[1] Wanderi, M. (2006). The traditional games of Africa: Directions and challenges in their promotion and formalization. International Journal of Physical Education, 43(1), 31–38.

[Nyaga,_L._R._K._2011-2] Nyaga, L. R. K. (2011). Valued Outcomes in Youth Sport Programs in Kenya: Towards the Government’s Vision 2030. Doctoral Dissertation. Springfield College, Massachusetts, USA.

[3] Godia, G. (1989). Sport in Kenya. In E. A. Wagner (Ed.). Sport in Asia and Africa: A comparative handbook (pp. 267–281). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, Inc.

[Kanyiba_Nyaga_2011-4] Kanyiba Nyaga, L. R. (2011). The History of Sports in Kenya. Unpublished Book Manuscript

[5] Wamukoya, E., & Hardman, K. (1992). Physical education in Kenyan secondary schools. British Journal of Physical Education, 23(4), 30–33.

[6] Njororai, W. (2009). Colonial legacy, minorities and association football in Kenya. Soccer & Society, 10(6), 866–882

[Nyaga,_L._R._K._2008-7] Nyaga, L. R. K. (2008). Management of middle and long distance elite runners in Kenya. Master’s thesis. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]