Wheelchair basketballers during a training session at Moi Stadium, Kasarani/ CHARLENE MALWA
The Kenya Wheelchair Basketball Federation (KWBF) has brought in American coach Roland Sanders to lead preparations for a busy international calendar.
The tournaments lined up include the IWBF Africa Championships in Luanda, Angola (March 27–April 4), which doubles as a qualifier for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the World Championships in Ottawa, Canada.
Read Also
Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today Athletics
Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football
Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby
Sanders, arriving from Houston, Texas, will oversee both the men’s and women’s squads, including the 3×3 and 5×5 formats. Kenya will field six men and six women in the 3×3 category, while the 5×5 teams will feature 12 players each.
Federation president Alfred Simiyu said the move is aimed at strengthening the technical bench and giving Kenya a competitive edge on the continental stage. He also highlighted the importance of the Africa Under-25 Women’s Championships in Kinshasa, which will serve as a pathway to the senior World Championships.
Enjoying this article? Subscribe for unlimited access to premium sports coverage.
View Plans
Sanders expressed confidence after initial sessions at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, saying: “I am happy to be here. The hospitality is on another level, and the talent and intensity are impressive.”
His focus will be on sharpening tactical discipline, team chemistry, and match fitness ahead of the key tournaments.
Kenya enters the continental competitions on the back of mixed results in recent seasons. At the 2025 IWBF Africa Under-23 Men’s Championship in Johannesburg, the team reached the semi-finals but lost to South Africa and later to Egypt in the bronze-medal match, finishing fourth. In 2022, Kenya’s men placed third after defeating Gambia but falling to South Africa and DR Congo.
On the global stage, the women’s team competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, but did not progress beyond the group stage. These results underscore a programme that remains competitive regionally while pursuing consistent podium finishes and qualification for major world events.
With Sanders’ arrival and the continental assignments approaching rapidly, Kenya will be hoping that new technical input translates into strong performances and qualifications for Glasgow 2026 and the World Championships later this year.