By Nyang’au Araka
Kenya has taken a historic step in expanding its co‑curricular landscape with the official inclusion of lacrosse into the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) competitions.
In a circular this week, the Ministry of Education confirmed that lacrosse, introduced by the Kenya Lacrosse Federation, is now recognised as part of the national school sports programme.
The sport, which has been showcased at the Kenya Secondary Schools Championship for the past two years and at the 2025 East Africa Games, has already been adopted by over forty secondary schools across six regions.
The Federation has established governance systems, trained coaches, and developed frameworks to ensure smooth integration into the KSSSA structure.
“This is good news everywhere. I am proud of how far we’ve come,” said Derick W. S., CEO of the Kenya Lacrosse Federation.
The Ministry noted that KSSSA will determine how lacrosse will be rolled out, either through a pilot phase or phased implementation.
Regional and County Directors of Education have been urged to support the Federation in promoting the sport.
“Lacrosse is officially recognised by the Ministry of Education. We encourage schools to embrace this new discipline as part of their co‑curricular activities,” the circular stated.
Kenya Lacrosse Federation President Cosmas S. Nabungolo expressed gratitude to national leaders and stakeholders for their support.
“We sincerely thank the President, the Ministry of Education, and our partners for bringing this long‑held dream into reality. Together, we have turned a vision into reality,” he said.
Kenya joins a growing global movement to diversify youth sports.
The Federation aims to expand coverage to all regions, ensuring every student has the opportunity to experience the fast‑paced, team‑driven game.
Online sources show that lacrosse is one of the oldest organised sports in North America, with origins among Native American tribes as early as the 12th century, where it was played for spiritual, cultural, and even military purposes.
French settlers later named it lacrosse in the 17th century, and by the 19th century it had evolved into the modern game, spreading across Canada, the United States, and eventually worldwide.
Today, lacrosse is played with ten players per team on a field, each using a stick with a net to carry, pass, and shoot a small rubber ball into the opponent’s goal.
Fast-paced and physical, it combines elements of hockey, basketball, and football, demanding speed, teamwork, and strategy.