By Silas Otieno and Henry Muli

On March 15, USIU-Africa’s Adaptive Sports Team held a retreat at Winter Villa Resort in Embu. The event, organized by Henry Muli, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar and the Representative for Persons with Disabilities on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council, aimed at honoring the athletes who participated in last year’s Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) games for students with disabilities at Kenyatta University. During the competition, the Goalball team clinched first place, while the volleyball team secured third place, a remarkable achievement that placed USIU-Africa on the spotlight.

Beyond celebrating the team, the retreat served as a platform to reflect on the role of adaptive sports in breaking barriers and redefining possibilities. The program featured team-building activities, photo sessions, and elevating discussions on the challenges and aspirations of adaptive sports at USIU-Africa. Participants shared personal experiences, exchanged ideas, and brainstormed solutions to the hurdles that adaptive sports continue to face.

Halima Bakari, Student Activities Officer & Student Affairs, while speaking to the team, emphasized the need for a language shift to promote inclusivity. Insisting that the term ‘adaptive sports’ is a game-changer as it transitions the narrative from limitation to possibility. “We must advocate for policies that recognize and empower every athlete, regardless of ability,” she urged.

A major highlight was the strategic session led by Elizabeth Wanjiku, Principal Disability Inclusion Officer, who relayed a special message from Dr. Victor Boiyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor - Student Life. “We recognize the incredible achievements of our adaptive sports teams, but to sustain this progress, we need structured policies, adequate facilities, and professional coaching. Let this retreat mark the beginning of a well-documented journey towards institutionalized adaptive sports,” she stated.

The attendees were assured of support from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program who recognize the role of these pioneers in rewriting history and paving the way for a more inclusive sporting culture that defies limitations. They were encouraged to keep striving, continue pushing boundaries, and keep believing in the greatness within.

The much-anticipated awards session saw athletes, coaches, and key supporters recognized for their dedication and resilience. With the trophies in their hands, the team felt valued and supported despite fueling their determination to push harder for themselves as well as for future generations of adaptive athletes.

The retreat also provided an opportunity to address pressing challenges and propose tangible solutions. The discussions centered around equity in access, training, and opportunities showing that adaptive sports should not be an afterthought but a priority. Following the discussions, the attendees reached the following resolutions; the need for a dedicated Goalball training facility and improved sports infrastructure, hiring of professional coaches to enhance team performance, commitment to increasing participation in national and international competitions, and strengthening partnerships to secure sustainable funding for adaptive sports programs.

At the end of the retreat, the goalball teams scored another victory yet again in a friendly match against the University of Embu, with the women’s goalball team delivering a commanding 17-1 victory, while the men’s goalball team battled fiercely to secure a hard-fought 22-17 win.