The Kenya Federation of American Football (KFAF) has taken a major step in its development after officially joining the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), marking a significant milestone for the growth and recognition of American football in the country.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsKFAF was voted into the NOC-K family following a presentation by President George Alwanga and Secretary-General Shisoka Akaka on Tuesday, 6 October, bringing the federation into Kenya’s wider Olympic movement.“We’ve officially joined the National Olympic Committee of Kenya family after being voted in today, thanks to an amazing presentation by KFAF President Mr. Alwanga and SG Shisoka Akaka. What a year it’s been and what an achievement. This is incredible,” KFAF posted on their social media handles.##NAJAVA_MECA_10068##For Alwanga, the admission represents an important moment in the federation’s journey, while also opening new opportunities for the sport’s athletes, coaches and officials.“This is a very important milestone for KFAF. Joining the NOCK family gives our federation greater recognition within Kenya’s sporting ecosystem and opens new opportunities for our athletes, coaches and officials. With flag football heading to the Olympics in 2028, this is also an important step as we build the structures and pathways needed to ensure Kenya is ready for that historic opportunity,” Alwanga said.The achievement is the culmination of years of work by KFAF to establish American football in Kenya, with flag football becoming the vehicle through which the federation has sought to grow the sport at grassroots level.FKF's options in determining abandoned Kariobangi Sharks, Mombasa United playoffKFAF officially adopted flag football as its primary discipline in 2019, a decision that was followed by a demonstration of the sport during the seventh Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) National Games at Moi University in December of that year.Kenya played Uganda in the showcase, allowing university students and sports stakeholders to experience the fast-paced, non-contact version of American football.Flag football offered KFAF a practical pathway for introducing the sport in Kenya. Kenya Sevens includes 3 debutants in squad for Safari SevensIts non-contact nature, speed, and inclusivity across genders made it more accessible than tackle football, helping the federation overcome some of the barriers associated with establishing the full-contact version of the sport.Since then, KFAF has continued to build the sport through grassroots programmes, competitions and partnerships.American football has been introduced in Kenyan schools primarily through non-contact flag football pilot programmes led by KFAF and the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS), in partnership with the NFL.The federation has also continued to create competitive opportunities for players. Spanish-based Kenyan midfielder suffers massive injury blowOn September 20, KFAF staged a flag football tournament at M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika, played on an artificial turf surface under full floodlights.The development of the sport has also been driven by the prospect of flag football becoming an Olympic discipline.The vision for KFAF's current position was planted in 2022 when the NFL and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) submitted their joint bid for flag football to be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.The bid eventually succeeded, with flag football set to make its Olympic debut at LA 2028.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: McCarthy's new Harambee Stars tactical set up that nullified RwandaFor KFAF, the Olympic opportunity provided another reason to accelerate the development of the sport and establish the structures required to compete at international level.However, gaining admission into NOC-K was not automatic.According to KFAF, a federation seeking membership must demonstrate proper governance structures, international affiliation, active youth and development programmes, and a national team with verifiable international results, including medals, trophies and continental appearances.It must also demonstrate a genuine local presence, showing that the sport is well-rooted and supported across the country. Registration with the Ministry of Sports is also mandatory.The process then involves a formal application, vetting, a presentation to the NOC-K General Assembly and, ultimately, a majority vote.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Kenya Police FC altered their structure to overcome 3K FCKFAF says it met the requirements and more, paving the way for its admission into the Olympic family.The achievement also places American football alongside other emerging sports federations that have joined the NOC-K structure, including the Skiing Federation and Lacrosse Federation.
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