Special Correspondents, Glasgow, Friday
Team Kenya experienced a mixed opening day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, highlighted by a women's 3x3 basketball overtime win over Fiji, while facing losses in wheelchair basketball, boxing, and lawn bowls. Despite narrow misses in para-powerlifting and a winless 3x3 match against Uganda, the team prepares for the athletics programme to begin Monday.
In 3x3 Basketball, Kenya stunned Fiji 16-14 in overtime to dramatically revived their tournament hopes. Tied at 14 points apiece, Mary Omondi sunk the decisive basket in overtime to seal Pool ‘A’ points after an initial 21–5 opening-match loss to heavy favorites Australia.
The squad of Barbara Achieng, Esther Minayo, Yvone Okelo and Mary Omondi outclassed by the Aussie squad of Lara McSpadden, Marena Whittle, Amy Atwell and Emma Clarke, committing seven turnovers that titled the game Down Under.
But the Kenyan women were hammered 21-5 by regional rivals Uganda later on Friday night in a crucial group stage fixture further denting their hopes.
In boxing, Amina Martha Faki was eliminated in the women's 54kg division via a unanimous points decision to England's 20-year-old talent Lauren Mackie during the preliminary round of 32 while in the Para-Powerlifting Women's Lightweight, Hellen Wawira Kariuki narrowly missed out on a podium finish, placing 4th overall with a score of 104.4 points.
Fellow Kenyan Rahab Ngare finished lower down the order in ninth place with 71.0 points.
In the Men's Lightweight, Ngugi Maringa placed eighth in a highly competitive field, registering 127.0 points.
Positive Swimming Note
In Swimming, Haniel Kudwoli started the morning on a positive note by cruising to victory in heat three of the men's breaststroke qualifiers to advance his standing.
Kudwoli comfortably won heat three in a time of one minute, 4.30 seconds but, unfortunately, failed to qualify for the next level of the competition, since there were 16 swimmers in the other five heats who registered better times than him.
Team Kenya strategize against Canada in their Wheelchair Basketball opening match of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. World champions Canada won 16-3. (Photo / Team Kenya)
Kenya's men’s wheelchair basketball team suffered a 16-3 defeat against world champion Canada, despite showing resilience in the early stages of their second pool match in Glasgow.
While Kenya struggled with turnovers and clinical execution, players highlighted improvements in their performance compared to previous matchups against the top-tier side. Robert Ngugi scored two points for Kenya, while Itaken Kipelian managed a point against the global champions.
Milton Ilahuya said after the match that they Primary School mistakes costed them the game, but lauded the winners for a commendable display that saw them lock their moves, every time they were on offensive.
“This was a good experience. It is our second time playing world champions Canada, we faced them last year. So, we can say there is some improvement in our game even if we went down 16-3. It’s a good progress," Ilahuya said.
He added: “Playing against World Champions is not easy and I can say we keep on learning. They were closing us down and denying us shots whenever we were on offensive, but we showed them that we are not push overs.”
Track and Field Starts Monday
Kenya’s Hamada Anwar also lost his opening Lawn Bowls Singles Sectional Play competition 2-0 to Malta’s Shaun James Parnis. Anwar faces Cecil Alexander of the Falklands Islands on Saturday before taking on Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple also on Saturday.
He winds up his singles action on Monday against India’s Put Sonowal.
Kenya's Amina Martha Faki (left) bowed out after falling to Canada's Lauren Mackie who advanced with a 5-0 unanimous points victory. (Photo / Team Kenya)
Track and field athletics at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games do not begin until Monday (July 27) meaning Team Kenya has no high-profile track events scheduled for this upcoming weekend (July 25–26).
The 52-member Kenyan athletics squad will remain in preparation mode as the opening days of the games focus on judo, 3x3 basketball, weightlifting, and gymnastics. The high-profile track and field events will kick off early next week at Scotstoun Stadium.
Upcoming Track & Field Highlights (Starting Monday):
When the athletics programme officially launches, you can catch Team Kenya's biggest stars on the following days:
- Monday, July 27: Ferdinand Omanyala begins his historic 100m title defense in the men's 100m heats. The evening session features Kenya's first major track final with the women's 10,000m final.
- Tuesday, July 28: The explosive men's 100m semi-finals and final. World Champion Lilian Odira also hits the track for the women's 800m heats.
- Wednesday, July 29: Former World Champion Timothy Cheruiyot makes his debut in the newly introduced men's Mile heats.
- Thursday, July 30: Steeplechase sensation Faith Cherotich anchors the women's 3,000m steeplechase final.
- Friday, July 31: A massive day for medals featuring the men's Mile final and veteran Julius Yego in the men's javelin throw final.
King Charles at Opening Ceremony
On Thursday, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Team Kenya made a striking entrance inside the OVO Hydro Arena at the party graced by by King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and Kenya’s High Commissioner to London, Maurice MakOloo.
Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya (centre) with Kenya’s High Commissioner to London, Maurice MakOloo (right) during the Commonwealth Games' Opening Ceremony on Thursday night. (Photo / Ministry of Sports)
The historic indoor ceremony welcomed around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. Leading the 94-athlete contingent was flag bearer Dennis Adoul, proudly flying the Kenyan flag as the team debuted their heritage-inspired ceremonial attire.
The ceremonial kit featured a rich green and gold palette, woven with subtle touches of Kenya's national flag colors.
The predominant green tone pays homage to the lush, high-altitude forests of Kaptagat, Iten, and the Rift Valley—the famous training grounds that have nurtured generations of world-class endurance runners and Olympic champions.
King Charles III officially opened the 2026 Commonwealth Games, delivering a short speech after the King's Baton completed its journey through the 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories.
Unique, Extraordinary Family of Nations
King Charles praised the spirit and resilience of the Commonwealth family and the competing athletes saying: “The Commonwealth is a unique and extraordinary family of nations. As we gather, we celebrate the dedication and talent of every athlete and team. Your perseverance inspires us, and we eagerly anticipate your achievements in the coming days."
He highlighted the environmental message embedded in the 2026 Baton Relay, focusing on plastic pollution and marine conservation: "For these Games, the relay has carried another message – to help remove the plastic pollution that harms our oceans and waterways, and can impact on human health."
He noted: "Caring for the ocean's natural capital ensures our communities and businesses can continue to thrive, and vital global food resources can be enhanced through the establishment of marine reserves to restore threatened marine ecosystems and diminished fish stocks."
Summary of Kenyan Scores (Day 1) at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday (July 24):
- 3x3 Basketball: Kenya 5-21 Australia; Kenya 16-14 Fiji (OT); Kenya 5-21 Uganda
- Wheelchair Basketball: Kenya 3-16 Canada
- Para-Powerlifting: H. Wawira (4th, 104.4 pts); R. Ngare (9th, 71.0 pts); N. Maringa (8th, 127.0 pts)
- Swimming: H. Kudwoli (1st in Heat 3, 1:04.30 - did not advance)
- Boxing: A. Faki (Lost - R32)
- Lawn Bowls: H. Anwar (Lost 0-2 vs Malta).
(Compiled by Team Kenya Media and Pura Vida Sports Africa)
