By Kiarie Mwangi
Gateball is a fast-paced, highly strategic mallet sport similar invented in Japan in 1947 and played on a rectangular court (20m x 15m) with three gates and a center goal pole. Teams of five use mallets to manoeuvre odd-numbered (Red) and even-numbered (White) balls sequentially through the gates. In 1984, the first national Gateball union – Japan Gateball Union – JGU was established with the global federation, World Gateball Union formed in 1985.
Rules of gateball:
Gateball is a fast-paced, strategic team sport played with a mallet and a ball, easy to learn and open to all ages. It combines coordination, teamwork and tactical thinking making it a cross-generational sport cutting through families, youth, community teams and even fitness lovers. Gateball rules include inter-alia;
- Consists of two teams (Red & White) – 5 players on each team.
- Each player has a numbered ball – to hit through the three gates in the right order.
- Each player has 10-seconds to play – requiring concentration, fast thinking and decision making.
- Points are calculated by passing through each gate sequentially and hitting the final goal pole.
- Strategy is key – one can hit the ball to move it or hit the opponent’s ball to block them, reposition them or gain an advantage.
About Kenya Gateball Federation (KGF)
Kenya Gateball Federation (KGF) was duly registered in July 2025 having complied with legal and statutory requirements as stipulated by Registrar of Sports office under State Department of Sports within Ministry of youth affairs, creative economy and sports. Mr. Kevin Kibe – The President of Kenya Gateball Federation is a sports enthusiast who, having lived in Japan for over 25 years admired how the game cuts across age, gender, creed and even social status. That the game is 100% non-contact with zero /minimal risk of injuries was the biggest drive in its registration and popularization the game locally, regionally and within African continent.
Vision: Towards achieving global peace and cultural exchange using sports
Mission: Transformation through sports
KGF is situate at their registered offices within Kamulu – Ground floor of Tokyo Terrance Building from where regular training sessions are undertaken. The tacit approval and personal attention of World Gateball Union (WGU) president, Mr. Keiichi Imagawa, to the development of Gateball in Kenya continues to drive strategic focus of KGF and which is hinged on;
- Recruiting, retaining and developing players
- Tournaments and competitions
- Recruiting and retaining coaches and referees
- Effective management and Governance
As KGF commemorates one year since registration in coming weeks we are proud of milestones thus far and which includes recognition by Japanese Embassy in Kenya, being amongst other federations invited by Sports Ministry for workshops and seminars, co-ordinating other African countries with Gateball presence (Ivory coast, Ghana & Uganda) with a view of building mutual strategies for Gateball growth in Africa. The formal partnership with Kiambu County early this year is huge! Concessions on venue and attendant facilities (ambulance, security, stewards et al) is a good indicator of collaboration to drive the sport to schools, colleges and curating cultural exchange programs that includes Japanese language centres using Gateball as platform of community outreach.
We are exploring partnerships with various stakeholders to bring Gateball equipment to Kenya and Africa. This remains our biggest handicap in developing the sport locally. A conversation picked by the president, Mr. Kibe with Kenya Revenue Authority through Sports Ministry on tax waivers on sports equipment. Our Long-term strategy? Having Kenya participate in Tournaments and championships regionally, within continent and globally as well.
Gateball just opened a “gate” for Japan in Kenya. After all Sports is the “glue” that “fuels” conversations, from Sports Tourism to Sports Diplomacy.