Kenya has officially launched its campaign for the 2026 World Masters Hockey World Cup after the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) flagged off four national teams that will represent the country at the global tournament set to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The teams were flagged off on Saturday at the City Park Hockey Stadium in Nairobi ahead of the championship, which will run from July 22 to August 1. More than 400 Kenyan veteran hockey players are expected to travel for the outdoor competition, which will be played across three cities in the Netherlands and one in Belgium.
Kenya will be among only five African countries taking part in the tournament, joining South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Egypt in the battle against some of the world's leading hockey nations.
The country will field teams in the Men's Over-40, Over-45 and Over-50 categories, as well as the Women's Over-35 division.
The Men's Over-45 and Over-50 teams will play their matches at HC Rotterdam, while the Women's Over-35 side will compete at HC Schiedam. Other matches will be staged in Breda in the Netherlands and Brasschaat in Belgium.
The tournament has attracted top hockey nations from across the world, including hosts the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, England, Argentina, New Zealand, Malaysia, Ireland, Japan and France, countries that have consistently established themselves among the strongest sides in international hockey.
Recognised as the highest level of international masters hockey, the World Masters Hockey World Cup offers veteran players an opportunity to continue competing on the global stage while celebrating sportsmanship, healthy living and a lifelong passion for the game.
The championship also brings together former international players, accomplished club athletes and experienced hockey veterans who continue to compete at a high level across age groups ranging from Over-35 to Over-80.