A defining milestone for African water sports was achieved yesterday in Aosta, Italy, where the World Rafting Federation (WRF), African Rafting Council and a high-level Kenyan delegation (KRF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) officially awarding Kenya the hosting rights for the July 2026 World Rafting Cup the third step of the global World Cup series and the 2026 African Rafting Championships.
The signing ceremony brought together top worldwide and continental rafting leadership, underscoring the strategic importance of Kenya's entry into the world-class competition circuit.
L-R: MOU signing ceremony | KRF delegation with WRF officials | Group photo at Aosta venue
LEADERSHIP REPRESENTED
WORLD RAFTING FEDERATION
Mr. Danilo Barmaz, President, WRF, Mr. Matteo Benciolini, Secretary General, WRF, Mr. El Mamoun Belabbas, President, African Rafting Council
KENYA DELEGATION
Mr. William Kinuthia, Secretary General, KRF Mr. Denis Munuve, Government Representative
Kenya's hosting marks the first time in history that a World Rafting Cup league will be held on African soil. The MoU elevates Kenya into the global rafting spotlight, bringing wide-ranging benefits:
- Increased international tourism and sports travel
- Expanded opportunities for youth and athlete development
- Strengthened sports diplomacy and global partnerships
- Enhanced visibility for African rivers as competitive venues
NEXT STEPS TOWARD JULY
Joint Kenya-WRF technical teams will now begin coordinated preparations:
1 River inspections and safety assessments
2 Infrastructure and logistics planning
3 Technical official training and athlete development
4 Government and private-sector mobilization
5 Integration into the global promotional calendar
Check-out the link above for more!
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