Kenya Taekwondo Federation President Major (Rtd.)Suleiman Sumba (4th from right) presents the overall trophy won by the Kenya Under-21 Team during the just concluded Korean Ambassador’s Cup in Kampala to the Principal Sports Officer, Department of Sports in the Ministry of Sports, Jackson Munywoki (3rd from right). This was during the unveiling of the Under-21 Taekwondo National Team to represent the country during next month’s World Under 21 Taekwondo Championship in Nairobi.

By Fred Maingi
Over 140 countries are set to participate in the world Under 21 championship billed to take
place in Nairobi.
Already 80 countries have already confirmed participating in the global event set by the end of this year.
The announcement was made by the Kenya Taekwondo Federation (KTF) through the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports).
Team Kenya, comprising eight boys and eight girls was unveiled at a Nairobi Hotel.
The Kenya Taekwondo Federation (KTF) President Major (Rtd) Suleiman Sumba highlighted Kenya’s organizational, technical, and infrastructural readiness following a successful inspection and endorsement by World Taekwondo officials who over the past weekend described Kenya’s facilities as world-class and well-aligned with global standards.
Reinforcing the championship’s theme ‘Taekwondo Values For Climate Action’, the KTF
President further noted that Kenya is not only ready to host the world but also to showcase how
sport can be a force for sustainability, which aligns with Kenya’s greening agenda which projects
to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
The federation last month launched an ambitious tree-planting initiative dubbed #KenyaYetuMsituWetu which aims to plant 11,000 trees.
“Kenya is ready. Our athletes, venues, and support systems have all met international benchmarks. Hosting the world under the theme ‘Taekwondo Values For Climate Action’ demonstrates that sport can be a catalyst for both human excellence and environmental consciousness,” noted Major Sumba.
He further revealed that Team Kenya’s 16-member squad is already in a high-performance residential training camp, gearing up for the African Series Championships in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they will compete from 15th November as part of their final preparations ahead of the World Championships.
“Our team is in top shape and ready to make Kenya proud in the Abidjan event which will
sharpen their competitive edge as they prepare to defend home ground,” he added.
The championships will bring together over 1,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from about
140 countries including South Korea, Russia, Israel, Brazil, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa,cementing Kenya’s reputation as one of Africa’s most capable hosts of large-scale global sporting events.
Representing the Department of Sport in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and
Sports, Principal Sports Officer Jackson Munywoki hailed KTF’s leadership and praised the
integration of sustainability into the competition’s design and reiterated the government’s
commitment to fully supporting the championship
“This championship exemplifies Kenya’s growing stature in global sport management; It
underscores the government’s commitment to positioning sport as a vehicle for youth
development, economic growth, and environmental stewardship,” Munywoki said.
KTF confirmed that logistical preparations are in their final stages, from accreditation and athlete
transport to competition venue readiness and technical coordination.
“Our collaboration with World Taekwondo and local partners has ensured that every aspect
meets international standards. We are ready to welcome the world and deliver a championship
that reflects Kenya’s excellence in technical organization, security, and hospitality” Major Sumba
assured
Through the official sustainability partner – TBL (Tenants Become Landlords) Go Green Initiative

• KTF aims to make the championship fully carbon-neutral, integrating tree planting, green
  energy use, and eco-conscious community engagement under the sustainability theme.
  Director of the TBL Go Green Initiative Jeff Kefa emphasized that sustainability is not a side
  activity but the core value driving the championship.
  “This event shows that sport can lead the climate action agenda. Every match and every medal
  will leave a positive imprint on the planet.” Kefa said.