Kenya starts qualification journey to 2028 LA Olympics and Paralympic Games

Kenya's badminton teams will compete in the All Africa Senior Championships in Gaborone, Botswana and the BWF World Para-Badminton Championships in Manama, Bahrain as part of their plan to qualify for major championships.

The country is seeking to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both events start today and end on February 15. 

The two events form the first major ranking window in the new Olympic cycle, with continental medals and world championship points expected to shape Africa’s qualification picture over the next two seasons.

Team manager Benson Owano said the federation is already looking beyond the immediate results, with the long-term objective being Olympic and Paralympic qualification.

“This is the first step for us, and we are glad to have both the able-bodied and para players on the road. We have been training well for the last three weeks, and I believe both teams will attain good results,” Owano said. At the same time, he thanked the government for supporting the teams.

In Gaborone, Kenya’s senior squad will compete in the team event from February 9–12, before the individual championships take the centre stage from February 13–15.

Captain Sammy Sikoyo will lead a men’s lineup that includes John Wanyoike, Dennis Simiyu, Wilkie Keragori, Joseph Githitu, Patrick Kinyua and Edwin Akwanyi.

On the women’s side, experienced Jacinta Sengera will captain the team featuring Kenya number one Naomi Wandili alongside Brittney Misoy, Blessing Buyanzi and Yvonne Mwikali. Kenya will be chasing continental medals and crucial ranking points that feed into the Olympic qualification period.

With strong finishes, they will be expected to boost the country’s standing ahead of the African Championships and World Tour events over the next two years.

Meanwhile, in Bahrain, Africa's number one-ranked player, Anthony Ojwang (SH6), will captain the para-badminton team as Kenya seeks to build on its growing global reputation.

Ojwang leads a squad that includes Africa silver medallist Mary Nduku (SL3), Africa gold medallist Benson Nduva (SL4),  World Ability Sport relay gold medallists Caleb Omollo (SU5) and Elizabeth Nabwire (SL4), alongside Corrine Mwangi (SH6) and wheelchair athlete Ann Syombua.

The para team is fresh from a breakthrough performance at the 2025 World Ability Sport Beach Games in Turkey, where Kenya claimed two gold medals. The result elevated several players into the top tier of African rankings and strengthened their Paralympic qualification prospects.

At the Bahrain World Championships, medalists stand to earn significant ranking points, a crucial step toward securing slots for the 2028 Paralympic Games once the qualification window officially opens.