By Editor
Over 700 Participants Celebrate Bilateral Friendship Through Sport
The inaugural China–Kenya Friendship Games, supported by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kenya and hosted by the Kenya–China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA), concluded successfully this morning at Nyayo National Stadium. The event brought together employees from Chinese enterprises operating in Kenya and their Kenyan colleagues, attracting 19 teams and more than 700 participants. Through a full day of sporting activities, the Games provided a dynamic platform to deepen people-to-people ties and celebrate the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
The Games featured two main segments: track and field competitions and fun games.
Athletics:
Nineteen teams comprising 371 participants competed in eight events — 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4×100m relay, 4×400m relay, and long jump. Kenyan and Chinese athletes ran side by side, showcasing speed, endurance, teamwork, and the true spirit of friendly competition.
Fun Games:
Another 340 participants joined in team-building activities such as the three-legged race, tug-of-war, and sack race. These lively events drew enthusiastic cheers and created a festive atmosphere across the stadium.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Guo Haiyan attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks highlighting the importance of cultural exchange and people-centered cooperation in strengthening China–Kenya relations.
Amb. Haiyan noted that Sports is the bridge transcending languages and borders as well as the bond of friendship and hearts. The China-Kenya Friendship Games is not only an important event of the 2025 China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season but also a vivid example of active culture exchanges between our two countries.
Sports is the bridge transcending languages and borders as well as the bond of friendship and hears. The China-Kenya Friendship games is not only an important event of the 2025 China Kenya Culture and Tourism Seat also a vivid example of active culture exchanges between our two countries.”
She added that: “ The China-Kenya relations are now at their best time since the establishment of diplomatic ties. I hope and believe that Chinese enterprises will continue to make new contribution to the growth of China-Kenya relations and the deepening of the friendship between our two peoples”
Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, CBS of the State Department for Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, also graced the event, congratulating participants and underscoring the unifying power of sports.
“Sports remind us that the strength of any bilateral relationship lies in everyday interactions between colleagues, friends, and communities. Today, as Kenyans and Chinese gather on the field, we witness the human connection that anchors and enriches our wider cooperation in trade, technology, manufacturing, and national development,” said PS Mwangi.
Beyond the competition, the Friendship Games served as an important platform for promoting communication among employees of Chinese enterprises in Kenya and reinforcing a positive, healthy corporate culture. Many participants noted that the Games offered an opportunity to unwind, build friendships, and experience Kenyan culture beyond their day-to-day work.
Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) Chairman Yu Xiaodong affirmed the Association’s commitment to growing the China–Kenya Friendship Games into an annual flagship event, fostering deeper interaction between employees of Chinese and Kenyan enterprises and using sport as a bridge between the two peoples.
KCETA is a non-governmental organization representing Chinese enterprises operating in Kenya. As of December 2025, the Association has 103 member companies. According to KCETA’s 2024 data, Chinese enterprises in Kenya hired more than 60,000 local employees between 2022 and 2023, representing 90 percent of their total workforce a significant contribution to job creation and livelihoods in the country.
Sport continues to play a vital role in strengthening cross-cultural understanding. It promotes teamwork, healthier lifestyles, and mutual learning. Kenya and China hold immense potential for deeper collaboration in this sector.
PS Mwangi encouraged mutual cooperation and collaboration to learn from each other, owing to the unique sports environments and advancements found in both Kenya and China.
“Kenya can benefit from China’s advancements in sports science, including athlete monitoring technologies, injury prevention systems, sports medicine, modern coaching techniques, and data-driven training methods that have elevated Chinese athletes to world-class levels. Conversely, China stands to gain from Kenya’s globally renowned high-altitude training ecosystems in regions such as Iten, Nandi Hills, Eldoret, and Nyandarua, which have produced multiple Olympic and world champion,” added PS Mwangi.
“We warmly welcome Chinese athletes and teams to experience these environments through joint training camps, coaching exchanges, and development programmes that will benefit both countries,” concluded PS Mwangi.
