Madagascar team on arrival at the JKIA/ HANDOUT Madagascar have sent an early warning to regional rivals after becoming the first foreign delegation to arrive in Nairobi ahead of the 2026 UFAK Region East Karate Championships.
The Indian Ocean nation is openly targeting dominance at the four-day competition set for May 28–31 at the Nyayo National Stadium Indoor Arena.
The Malagasy contingent arrived earlier this week, carrying ambitions of fighting for medals across both kata and kumite categories as delegations continue streaming into Kenya for the regional showpiece.
Madagascar’s confidence is built on a long-standing reputation as one of Africa’s strongest karate nations, with consistent performances at Union of African Karate Federations events and international competitions.
Their growing stature has also earned organisational trust, with Madagascar scheduled to host the African Karate Championships later this year — a development federation officials view as recognition of the country’s rising influence in the sport.
Madagascar delegation leader and president of the Madagascar Karate Federation, Emile Ratefimanamary, said the team had arrived in Nairobi with clear medal ambitions despite the expected competition.
“We are glad to be in Nairobi, Kenya, for this wonderful competition. It is never easy to host such championships, and for Kenya to do so deserves much appreciation. We have a very competitive team that is ready to compete well and fight for top honours in every category,” said Ratefimanamary.
Head coach Ricko Rakotonanana revealed the squad had undergone intensive preparations and would embrace the challenge posed by hosts Kenya and other regional rivals.
“We have prepared well, and the athletes we have entered are our best. We know other countries, including the hosts, are also looking to win, but we shall give our best,” said Rakotonanana.
Madagascar’s arrival piles pressure on hosts Kenya, who are aiming to reclaim regional supremacy after finishing second at last year’s championships in Ethiopia.
Kenya has assembled a 50-athlete squad across cadet, junior and senior categories following a two-month residential training programme supervised by accredited coaches, with the federation targeting overall honours on home soil.
The hosts also draw confidence from their performance at the 2024 Commonwealth Karate Championships in Durban, where the national team won 13 medals — three silver and 10 bronze — against competitors from more than 20 countries.
Besides Kenya and Madagascar, the Nairobi championship is expected to attract athletes, referees and officials from about 14 countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia, with competitors set to battle in both individual and team events across cadet, junior and senior divisions
