Athletes from around the world arrive to a warm Kenyan welcome
On arrival at the airport participants enjoy fresh coconut madaaf. Photo: Akber Dewji (Hakim Sons)
Hundreds of Golden Jubilee Games athletes were greeted with live music and energetic Masaai dancers upon their arrival at the Games Village located at the Parklands complex in Nairobi. The Village, which includes reception and dining pavilions, an athletes’ lounge, and a multi-purpose entertainment space became a convivial space of warm welcome for the sportsmen and women.
More than 1 200 athletes and coaches from 27 countries were registered by volunteers in the reception pavilion, which was draped in an African motif. As part of the famous Kenyan welcome, athletes were served traditional East African foods such as mandazi (sweet bread) and barazi (beans in coconut curry) for breakfast, and mogo (cassava) and chevdo (a spicy snack) for lunch.
Members of the Tajikistan delegation arrive at the GJG Village to register. Photo: Mansur Rupshi
Nosirsho Kimatshoev’s arrival in Kenya from the mountainous Pamir region of Tajikistan offered him his first glimpse of Africa. The 24-year-old will be playing basketball and had taken three separate flights to get to Nairobi.
“The team flew from Tajikistan to Iran, Iran to Dubai and Dubai to Kenya to get here,” he said. “It is a great place. It feels unreal. Kenya seems like a great place.”
For Raheem Farishta, 18, who will be playing football, this visit to Kenya is his first trip outside the USA. He said: “The way we were greeted was amazing with the festival atmosphere and the music. This is my first time travelling abroad but it feels like I’m still with my Ismaili brothers and sisters.”
Apparently, the USA football team maintained their gruelling practice schedule even on the plane journey. “The 16-hour flight was full of excitement with everyone kicking the ball on the plane,” described Saahir Ramji. “The flight attendants even joined in!”
Participants celebrate their arrival in Kenya for the inaugural Golden Jubilee Games. Photo: Akber Dewji (Hakim Sons)
What stood out the most to him on arrival at the Village was the sense of unity. “You feel like even though you are in a new place, you’re not lost — you feel welcomed.”
Team Kenya, which also includes athletes from South Africa, Burundi and Congo, was amongst the first to register. The furthest any of their members travelled was from Johannesburg — a four hour flight away. Football team captain, Irfan Tarmohamed, believes that the team spirit will take them to victory.
“We are a family rather than a team. We know each other really well. We are looking forward to winning but also to making new friends.”
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