The spread of gateball in Kenya began when Mr. Kevin Kibe, a Kenyan national living in Kanagawa Prefecture, started playing gateball in Japan in 2024.

When returning to Kenya, Mr. Kibe brought gateball equipment donated by the Kanagawa Gateball Union and went on to establish the Kenya Gateball Association, a government-recognized organization, with the aim of promoting health and communication through the sport.

The association now regularly organizes gateball experience events for people of all generations, with a particular focus on women and children.

“In Kenya, there are limited opportunities for physical activity and social participation for middle-aged and older women. I believe gateball is ideally suited to addressing this challenge. At the same time, I would like to introduce the appeal of the sport to younger generations through schools and other institutions,” says Mr. Kibe.