MATHARE, NAIROBI.
February 2026 has marked a historic milestone for Kenyan handball as the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF), in partnership with Handball That Impacts (Denmark) and Play Handball Kenya, officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility and hosted a high-level cultural exchange program.
The series of events centered around the newly constructed Mathare North Handball Court, officially named The Kies Arena. This indoor facility represents a significant leap forward for sports infrastructure in the Mathare North area, providing a dedicated space for talent development and community engagement.
A Bridge of Cultural Exchange
The festivities began on February 10th with the arrival of the Danish U19 National Team. The squad traveled to Kenya for a 10-day residency focused on cultural exchange and shared sporting experiences.
During their stay, the Danish athletes spent time in Mathare, engaging with local youth and experiencing the grassroots passion for the sport. This visit culminated in the team's participation in the 3rd Edition of the Daystar Open Tournament, held at the Daystar University handball courts on February 14-15.
Building Skills and Infrastructure
On February 26th, the collaboration moved from the pitch to the classroom and the official tape-cutting ceremony. The inauguration of The Kies Arena was led by key figures from the partnership:
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Soren Ostergaard, President of Handball That Impacts
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Lene Karsbaek, CEO of Handball That Impacts
Beyond the physical infrastructure, the visit prioritized technical capacity building. A specialized training workshop for local coaches and teams was conducted by renowned Danish experts:
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Mathias Berg, PhD and Master in Sports Science (A-license coach)
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Peter Jørgensen, Talent Coach for the Danish Handball Federation
"This arena isn't just about the walls and the roof; it’s about the mission of using handball to create a lasting impact in the community," representatives noted during the opening.
Looking Ahead
The synergy between Danish expertise and Kenyan talent aims to professionalize the sport at a local level while fostering international ties. With a new indoor arena now operational in Mathare North, the KHF and its partners have laid a solid foundation for the next generation of Kenyan handball stars.
The future of the sport in Nairobi looks brighter than ever.