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The Harambee Stars (red shirts) vs. the Tanzanian national team in 2002
Kenyan football has even been internationalized. In 2000, German coach Reinhard Fabisch was hired to bring the national football team to a higher level. In 2001, several Kenyan football players went to top European football teams. Paul Oyuga was transferred to a club in Sweden and Robert Mambo and John Muiri moved to Belgium.
Many big football matches take place at the Moi International Sports Center on the outskirts of Nairobi, whose official capacity is 60,000, but which hosts many more during national matches.
Tickets for games are usually between KSH 300 and KSH 600 (about $4 to $8) and matches are quite an experience. Check out the Daily Nation newspaper for important games.
Kenya sports: Long-distance running
However, the sport in which Kenyans are world-leaders is long-distance running. During the Sydney Olympics of 2000, Kenyans won the Olympic gold medal in the 3,000 meter steeplechase – a combination of hurdling, going through water and running, for the 7th time in a row. Between 1964 and 2000, Kenyans have always won this event, if we don’t count the two Olympic Games they boycotted. No-one can deny Kenyan superiority in this discipline – runners from Kenya alone account for over 90 of the 100 best times in steeplechase ever.
Famous Kenyan runner Paul Tergat
Even more remarkably, within Kenya one tribe – the Kalinjin – can claim about 75% of all Kenyan medals. Men from this tribe account for about 10% of the Kenyan population and only 0.05% of the world population, yet the Kalinjin win close to 40% of ALL international long-distance running prizes for men.
After rejecting other explanations, most experts now agree that there is some kind of biological factor behind these extraordinary successes. Indeed, as equality of opportunity (to take part in races) increased, the innate superiority of black runners became even more evident and as the 20th century progressed they were winning more and more competitions. The same is true for other ‘athletic hotspots’, as shown by Jon Entine in his book, “Taboo: why black athletes dominate sports and why we are afraid to talk about it.”
Kenya Sports: East African Safari Rally
The East African Safari Rally has been held annually since 1953, from November to December. It’s a rugged 3,000 kilometer car rally passing through Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya along public roads. It attracts an international group of drivers with their vintage (pre-1974) cars, as these are the only ones allowed. It’s a spectacle well worth watching if you are there.
Kenya sports for tourists
In Kenya sports options for tourists are plenty avaible. Hiking is a popular choice in the mountain areas. Guided tours are often available. Walking safaris are also an option. But never try this without a guide. Wild animals are dangerous and can kill humans – elephants and especially hippos have probably killed more people than lions. And regarding crime: while Kenya is in general a safe country as long as you are among people, it’s not usually safe to walk alone in deserted areas.
Next to the Central Highlands and the Rift Valley, golf is played a lot in the Nairobi area, which has 6 eighteen-hole courses.
Cricket received a boost when Kenya beat the West Indies in at the World Cup in 1986 and became third overall in 1993. Most matches are played in the Nairobi area. Have a look at my seperate page about the Kenya national cricket team, which has achieved remarkable international successes recently.
In the coastal areas, there’s a range of water sports. You can rent snorkeling gear at most of the beach resorts and hotels. Diving is possible around Mombasa, which has beautiful sea reefs. The season runs from April to October. Fishing is also popular along the coast. Deep sea sport fishing can be done with guides who can be hired for a day trip.
Also worth visiting are the dhow races which are held around the island of Lamu on January 1st, as a celebration of the New Year. Dhows are traditional Arab sailing vessels which, thanks to the Arab traders, have been used for centuries in East Africa. During the dhow races they are beautifully decorated. As winning the race is a big honour, the race attracts the best seamen of the region. The party on race day goes on deep into the night…
In many coastal places it’s also possible to hire a dhow with a crew for day trips.
Kenya Sports - KenyaFootball.com
Facts about Kenya - Overview
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