Watersports at Masinga dam.

The 5th Africa Canoe-kayak Flatwater championship and 1st Africa Canoe-kayak slalom championship are to take place at Masinga dam and on the Tana river which feeds the reservoir from 24-27 January 2008. The events will serve as the African qualifying competition for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.

The competition was originally scheduled for early November but had to be postponed for technical and logistical reasons partly linked to the general and local government elections in Kenya on 27 December.

The Kenya rowing and Canoe Association (KRACA), which is hosting the competition, expects around 20 countries to take part. 15 teams, including ones from Nigeria, Sudan and Somalia, have already confirmed their participation. Junior teams from the United States and Iran will also be participating as guests in preparation for the Olympics and as a way of promoting cultural exchange and peace through sport.

Water sports are relatively new to Kenya and organisers are hoping that the competitions will boost their popularity in the country. To date the disciplines in Africa have been dominated by South Africa and Egypt.

Masinga dam is located roughly 160 km northeast of Nairobi and is an important bird reserve.