Sports
Athletics
Kenya has a strong reputation for sports, and Nairobi is the center of the sporting scene. In particular. Kenya is well known for its world-class runners. Kenyan runners exploded onto the international scene during the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games when three distance runners won gold medals, including Kipchoge " Kip " Keino, who beat the American favorite Jim Ryun in the 1500-meter race. Since 1968, Kenyans have dominated middle-and long-distance running at the international level. National track and cross-country meets are usually held at the national stadium or at the Ngong Race Course in Nairobi. These events traditionally produce a new group of world-class runners, ready to challenge their already-established peers. |
Soccer
The most popular sport in the country soccer. Nairobi has three large stadiums (Nyayo, City, and Kasarani) in which domestic league and international matches are played. Two clubs with large followings in Nairobi are AFC and Gor Mahia. The other popular teams are Mathare United, Tusker FC, Ulinzi Stars and Sofapaka. |
Other sports
Other sports gaining popularity in the nation's capital are rugby, cricket, and field hockey. With increasing numbers of participants, Kenya ' s rugby, field hockey, and cricket teams have done well in international competitions. Polo is often played on the weekends in Jamhuri park.
Other sports gaining popularity in the nation's capital are rugby, cricket, and field hockey. With increasing numbers of participants, Kenya ' s rugby, field hockey, and cricket teams have done well in international competitions. Polo is often played on the weekends in Jamhuri park.
Kenyan rugby players are renowned the world over for their flair, pace and sheer athleticism. The national team has automatically qualified four times for the rugby World Cup 7s, a national record for qualifications to any World Cup. The national rugby team is ranked 38th in the world out of 96 member states by the IRB.
The Safari Sevens tournament, an annual international rugby tournament held in Nairobi draws huge crowds and attracts teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. The tournament gives fans a fantastic opportunity to see top Kenyan players pitted against leading regional and international teams. The Kenya Rugby Sevens team is the 2011 reigning champion and a great source of pride and joy to the country. Kenya is a core member of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Series.
The Safari Sevens tournament, an annual international rugby tournament held in Nairobi draws huge crowds and attracts teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. The tournament gives fans a fantastic opportunity to see top Kenyan players pitted against leading regional and international teams. The Kenya Rugby Sevens team is the 2011 reigning champion and a great source of pride and joy to the country. Kenya is a core member of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Series.
Golf is also a popular sport. There are a number of well-maintained country clubs in Nairobi that offer good golfing facilities.
Muthaiga Country Club, the oldest premier settler club, has a top-flight golf course as well as other sporting facilities. Other prominent clubs that have golf courses are Karen Country Club, Limuru Country Club, Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Sigma Golf Club, and the Railway Golf Club. |