Kenya's amateur wrestlers have intensified preparations for two major international assignments in August as the federation awaits government funding for the East African Wrestling Championships and seeks external support for the Beach Wrestling World Series in Azerbaijan.
Kenya Amateur Wrestling Association (KAWA) Secretary General Eric Walucho revealed that wrestlers are continuing with training at their respective clubs ahead of a residential training camp scheduled for the first week of August.
"Wrestlers are still training in their various clubs. We anticipate to have a final camp the first week of August. Most of the junior wrestlers are still in school," said Walucho.
Kenya is expected to compete at the East African Wrestling Championships from August 22-23 in Bujumbura, Burundi, where freestyle, women's wrestling and beach wrestling events are expected to be contested.
Walucho noted that the government has pledged to finance a lean delegation for the regional championship.
"The government has promised to fund a scaled-down team of wrestlers and officials to the East Africa championship in Burundi," he explained.
However, uncertainty still surrounds Kenya's participation at the Beach Wrestling World Series scheduled for August 28-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, with the federation instructed to source additional funding.
"For the World Beach Wrestling Championships in Azerbaijan, we as a federation have been instructed to look for donors to help facilitate the trip," said Walucho.
He revealed that KAWA has already reached out to the international governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW), through the International Olympic Committee (IOC), seeking assistance.
"We have talked to our international federation UWW through the IOC to help facilitate at least three wrestlers and a coach to Azerbaijan. We are waiting for the response from UWW in a few days," he added.
The twin assignments are expected to provide Kenyan wrestlers with valuable international exposure as the federation continues its efforts to expand the country's presence on the continental and global stage. Kenya is also hoping some of its wrestlers from the World Beach Wrestling championship in Azerbaijan will qualify for 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
