Kenya Gears Up to Host World Under-21 Taekwondo Championships

Kenya has confirmed it is fully prepared to host the World Under-21 Taekwondo Championships, with over 140 countries expected to participate in the global event scheduled for later this year in Nairobi.

The announcement came as the Kenya Taekwondo Federation (KTF), through the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, unveiled Team Kenya—an eight-member boys’ squad and an eight-member girls’ squad—under the championship’s sustainability banner: “Taekwondo Values For Climate Action.”

Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi, KTF President Major (Rtd) Suleiman Sumba highlighted Kenya’s organisational, technical, and infrastructural readiness following a successful inspection by World Taekwondo officials. The inspectors described Kenya’s venues and facilities as world-class and aligned with global standards.

Reinforcing the championship’s sustainability theme, Major Sumba noted that Kenya aims to demonstrate how sport can drive environmental consciousness. “Hosting the world under the theme Taekwondo Values For Climate Action shows that sport can be a catalyst for both human excellence and environmental responsibility,” he said.

The initiative aligns with Kenya’s national greening agenda, which seeks to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Last month, KTF launched the #KenyaYetuMsituWetu tree-planting initiative, targeting 11,000 trees.

Major Sumba also revealed that Team Kenya’s 16-member squad is in a high-performance training camp ahead of the African Series Championships in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from November 15. “Our athletes are in top shape and ready to make Kenya proud in Abidjan as they prepare to defend home ground,” he said.

The championships are expected to attract over 1,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from countries including South Korea, Russia, Israel, Brazil, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, further cementing Kenya’s reputation as a capable host of large-scale international sporting events.

Representing the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Principal Sports Officer Jackson Munywoki praised KTF’s leadership and the integration of sustainability into the championship. “This event underscores Kenya’s growing stature in global sport management and demonstrates the government’s commitment to youth development, economic growth, and environmental stewardship,” he said.

KTF confirmed that final logistical preparations are underway, including accreditation, athlete transport, and technical coordination. The championship’s official sustainability partner, TBL Go Green Initiative, will ensure the event is carbon-neutral through tree planting, green energy usage, and eco-conscious community engagement. Director Jeff Kefa emphasized that sustainability is central to the competition. “Every match and every medal will leave a positive imprint on the planet,” he said.

Media registration for the championship is now open via the official accreditation portal, inviting both local and international journalists to cover the event.