Five Kenyan teams have qualified for the 2026 Masters Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands, starting on 22 July to 1 August.
However, with the global tournament drawing closer, the teams are appealing for urgent support from sponsors, partners, and well-wishers to make sure Kenya is represented on the world stage – a major achievement for the sport and for the country
Following an outstanding performance at the African Masters Invitational in Johannesburg in November 2025, Kenya secured qualification for five teams: O35 Women, O40 Men, O40 Women, O45 Men, and O50 Men.
The achievement marks a major leap for the Kenya Masters programme, which began in 2019 and qualified its first team, the O40 Men, for the 2022 World Cup in South Africa. Qualifying five teams for the 2026 edition is its biggest breakthrough yet.
For the players, this is more than a tournament. It is the reward for years of dedication, sacrifice, and belief in a sport they have continued to serve long after their youth playing days. For Kenya, it is a rare chance to revive the profile of hockey, celebrate the staying power of sport, and remind the country that hockey still holds an important place in our sporting story.
“I’m quite elated by the growth of the sport and the bar it continues to set for our athletes locally,” Moses Majiwa, the Kenya Hockey Union match and fixtures secretary as well team manager for the O40M team, said. “Age is truly just a number, and that’s being demonstrated on the field as athletes are given the space to do what they love most – while also keeping their health in check through regular training and play.”
But qualification alone does not get a team to a World Cup.
The teams now face the urgent challenge of raising the support needed for travel, accommodation, competition costs, training, kit, and logistics ahead of the tournament. Without strong backing from corporate sponsors, institutions, partners, and supporters, Kenya risks missing the opportunity to fully show up on one of the biggest stages in Masters hockey.
The Kenya Hockey Union continues to engage with the ministry on key infrastructure needs, including the long-awaited replacement of the turf. However, due to current constraints, full financial support has not been possible at this time, making this an important area for continued collaboration and investment.
“Qualifying five teams for the World Cup is a proud moment for Kenya Masters Hockey and for Kenya,” Majiwa said. “These players have earned their place on the global stage through commitment, sacrifice, and sheer hard work. What they need now is the support to get there. This is a chance for sponsors and partners to stand behind a remarkable Kenyan story, help fly the flag internationally, and play a part in reviving hockey’s legacy in Kenya.”
Hockey holds a proud place in Kenya’s sporting history as the first team sport the country qualified for at the Olympics and as All-Africa Junior Champions in 1978. The Kenya Masters teams now want to help reignite that legacy by showing that hockey remains a game for life and that Kenyan athletes can still compete with pride, quality, and purpose on the international stage.
Since launching in 2019, the Kenya Masters programme has grown steadily and created a platform for experienced players to continue competing at a high level. The success of the teams is also expected to strengthen the hockey pathway in Kenya by reconnecting former players to the sport, inspiring younger players, and helping bridge the gap between junior, senior, and Masters hockey.
For sponsors and partners, this is an opportunity to support more than a sports team. It is a chance to back resilience, discipline, national pride, healthy ageing, and the revival of a sport with deep roots in Kenya. It is also a powerful way to stand behind a team that has already proven itself through qualification and now needs the support to take its place among the world’s best.
With the World Cup ahead, Kenya Masters Hockey is calling on corporates, institutions, sports supporters, and media partners to rally behind the teams and help send Kenya to the Netherlands.
Officials hope Kenya’s participation in the World Masters Hockey World Cup will deliver both immediate impact and long-term growth for the sport. Key objectives include creating a clear pathway for athlete longevity, ensuring players can remain active and competitive well beyond their peak years. The tournament also presents an opportunity to build strong international networks among players, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Equally important is exposing local athletes to the global stage, allowing them to gain experience and benchmark their performance against top international teams. This exposure is expected to push performance standards higher across all age categories, reinforcing the idea that competitive excellence is achievable at any stage of an athlete’s career.
Ultimately, officials are targeting podium finishes across the Masters categories, not only as a mark of Kenya’s strength in the sport but also to secure favorable seeding ahead of the 2028 World Cup.
About Kenya Masters Hockey
Kenya Masters Hockey is a competitive programme for experienced hockey players aged 35 and above. Since its establishment in 2019, the programme has expanded participation in the sport, created pathways for continued competition, and positioned Kenya on the international Masters hockey stage.
For media, sponsorship, or partnership inquiries, contact Olivia Ambani at Oliviaambanimusic@gmail.com. You can also call or text on +254787399992.
