Kenya Veteran Earns IOC Role Model Honour Ahead of Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Showdown
“It doesn’t start on the Olympic stage; it starts with small, consistent steps, discipline, and belief in yourself even when things are tough,” said Sheila Chajira.
NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya veteran Sheila Chajira has earned one more lofty recognition ahead of yet another important tournament in her impressive international rugby career.
Ahead of this month’s Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Performance Division in Nairobi from 23–31 May, the 32-year-old Kenyan ace has been named by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as one of the Athlete Role Models for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games to be held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, in October and November.
The 31 experienced senior Olympians will mentor young athletes in Dakar, playing an integral role in supporting the next generation, a tradition in this event since the very first Youth Olympics took place in Singapore back in 2010.
Chajira – who represents Kenya in both formats of the game – is the only African rugby personality among the Athlete Role Models for Dakar.
Another key milestone is that the Dakar Youth Olympics will be the first IOC event to be staged in Africa, and it will also take place under the leadership of the first African president of the IOC, former Zimbabwe swimmer and the continent’s most decorated Olympian, Kirsty Coventry.
Representing Kenya’s women’s Sevens team in two Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020 makes Chajira quite the role model, and she is relishing the opportunity to impart her know-how to budding Olympians in Dakar later this year.
“As a two-time Olympian, I want young athletes to see that the Olympic dream is real and achievable because I’ve lived that journey myself,” Chajira tells Rugby Africa Media.
“It doesn’t start on the Olympic stage; it starts with small, consistent steps, discipline, and belief in yourself even when things are tough.
“Through my experience, I hope to inspire them by sharing both the victories and the struggles. I want them to understand that setbacks, losses, and challenges are all part of the process, not the end of it. What matters is how you rise, learn, and keep going.
“In my role as an Athlete Role Model with the International Olympic Committee, I aim to guide and mentor young athletes—helping them prepare not just physically but mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead. These programmes are designed to allow experienced Olympians to share knowledge, offer advice, and support the next generation as they grow in sport and in life.
“Most importantly, I want them to believe that they belong on that global stage. Coming from Africa, I want them to see that their background is not a limitation, it’s a strength. The Olympics are not just for a few; they are for those who dare to dream, commit, and work for it every single day. One day, they won’t just be watching the Olympics—they’ll be part of it.”
Chajira narrated her own unforgettable Olympic experiences, describing them as one of the highlights of her storied rugby career.
“Being an Olympian is something that’s hard to fully put into words… it is a feeling of pride, pressure, purpose, and pure honour all at once,” she says.
“You’re not just competing for yourself; you’re carrying your country, your people, and your journey onto the biggest stage in sport.
“My first Olympic Games felt like a dream. Everything was new: the scale, the energy, the atmosphere in the Olympic Village. You’re suddenly surrounded by the best athletes in the world, people you’ve watched and admired. There’s excitement, but also nerves. You’re learning, observing, and taking it all in. It’s where it really hits you that this is the highest level. That experience shaped me, and it taught me what it truly takes to compete at that level.
“Going into my second Olympic Games, everything changed mentally. Despite the challenge of COVID, I wasn’t just there to experience it; I was there to compete and perform. I understood the environment better, how to handle the pressure, how to prepare mentally and physically. There was more confidence, more focus, and a deeper sense of responsibility. You become more intentional about every moment, every game, every opportunity.
“What stands out in both Games is the unity. The International Olympic Committee brings together athletes from all over the world—different cultures, different stories, but all chasing the same dream. That’s powerful.”
But for now, focus is on the Women’s Cup Performance Division, Africa’s premier women’s rugby competition – with hosts Kenya, record champions South Africa, as well as Uganda and Madagascar set to battle it out at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi.
Turning to that eagerly anticipated contest later this month, Chajira – a battle-hardened veteran of many tournaments in Kenyan colours – is excited at the prospect of a home tournament and the possibility of challenging South Africa’s strong grip on the title.
The Springbok Women are the only team to have ever won the tournament, having bagged it four times in its seven-year history, barring the 2020 tournament which was cancelled due to COVID-19 and when the event wasn’t staged in its normal tournament format in 2021 and 2022.
“South Africa has set the standard for a while, and credit to them,” Chajira comments.
“They’ve been consistent and clinical. But for us, that rivalry is what pushes us to be better every day.
“We’ve been building, improving, and closing that gap. Every time we meet, it’s more competitive, more intense. We believe in our preparation, our systems, and our squad. So yes, we’re not just coming to compete. We’re coming to challenge that dominance.”
It is however not just the South Africans who pose a real threat. Chajira also has high regard for Uganda and Madagascar’s strengths and contrasting approaches to the game.
“Both Uganda and Madagascar bring very different but equally strong challenges,” she says.
“Uganda is always physical and disciplined. They don’t make things easy, and you have to be switched on for the full 80 minutes.
“Madagascar, on the other hand, brings flair and unpredictability. They play an exciting brand of rugby, especially in open play, and can punish you if you’re not organised defensively.
“So for us, it’s about respecting every opponent, preparing well for each game, and staying consistent throughout the tournament.”
Where to watch?
Rugby Africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique
RugbyPass TV: https://rugbypass.tv
Match Day 1: Saturday 23 May 2026 (Local Kenya Time/EAT)
- 14:00 – South Africa vs Madagascar
- 16:00 – Kenya vs Uganda
Match Day 2: Wednesday 27 May 2026 (Local Kenya Time/EAT)
- 14:00 – South Africa vs Uganda
- 16:00 – Kenya vs Madagascar
Match Day 3: Sunday 31 May 2026 (Local Kenya Time/EAT)
- 14:00 – Uganda vs Madagascar
- 16:00 – South Africa vs Kenya
Written by Enock Muchinjo
