Kenya’s national baseball5 youth team is set to officially step into the global stage, making their first-ever Baseball5 Youth World Cup match at the Parque La Loma Court in Nayarit, Mexico.
The team, comprising eight dynamic and determined players, has spent the last month in intensive residential training at Africa Nazarene University.
Now, their hard work, discipline, and team spirit are being put to the ultimate test as they represent Kenya against the world’s best.
“This is more than a game—it’s history in the making,” said Titus Mutwiri, President of the Baseball5 Federation of Kenya.
“To see our flag flying at this level, for the first time in a global youth Baseball5 event, is a moment of immense pride. These young athletes are trailblazers, and they carry with them the dreams of a nation.”
Kenya begins its campaign with a daunting challenge, a group-stage opener against tournament favorites, Cuba.
Then, they will face South Korea, before concluding group play against Spain, a game that could prove crucial in their hopes of advancing. Despite the tough draw, the mood within the Kenyan camp remains upbeat.
“We know we’re facing seasoned teams, but we’re not here to be spectators,” said Head Coach Joel Wangicho. “The boys have trained tirelessly, and we’ve focused on sharpening both our technical and mental game. We may be new to the global scene, but we came prepared to compete.”
The team’s training camp focused heavily on agility, tactical awareness, and building strong chemistry, an essential ingredient in the fast-paced, mixed-gender game of Baseball5.
Leading the team on the court is Captain Peter Okinyi, who radiated confidence ahead of their opening match.
“We’ve worked for this moment, and we’re ready to leave everything on the court,” said Okinyi. “Wearing the Kenyan jersey and hearing our anthem play in Mexico it’s something I’ll never forget. We are here to show that Kenya belongs on this stage.”
The tournament represents a breakthrough moment for Baseball5 in Kenya, a sport still in its developmental stages but rapidly gaining popularity, especially among the youth and now included in the CBET curriculum for senior school in Kenya.
