Kenya Lionesses captain lands prestigious role ahead of Dakar Youth Olympics
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 18.04.26. | 16:06
In the longer version of the game, she turns out as a loose forward and centre, further highlighting her versatility
Kenya Lionesses captain Sheila Chajira has earned continental recognition after being appointed an Athlete Role Model ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
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The decorated star, who has been a pillar of Kenya’s women’s rugby for over a decade, joins a select group of former Olympians tasked with mentoring and inspiring young athletes during the historic event set for Dakar.
Chajira’s appointment comes off a career defined by resilience and leadership. The 32-year-old featured for Kenya at both the 2016 Rio and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, while continuing to serve the national team across both the sevens and 15s formats.
In the longer version of the game, she turns out as a loose forward and centre, further highlighting her versatility.
Despite her longevity in the sport, Chajira remains driven by a desire to uplift the next generation, a quality that made her a natural fit for the Athlete Role Model program.
In a statement, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) lauded her achievement, describing it as a reflection of her unwavering commitment to the game and the pride she continues to bring to the country.
A hearty commendation to Sheila Chajira, captain of the Kenya Lionesses, on her appointment as an Athlete Role Model ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) April 17, 2026
Sheila joins a distinguished group of former Olympians as they prepare for the first-ever Olympic sporting event to… pic.twitter.com/M25hUhGalC
“A hearty commendation to Sheila Chajira… on her appointment as an Athlete Role Model ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games,” read part of the statement.
“We see you, Captain. We honour you, and we appreciate your efforts in making the game greater both on and off the pitch,” the statement continued.
The fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from Saturday, 31 October to Saturday, 13 November, the first country on the African continent to be awarded the honour of hosting an Olympic sports event.
The 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games represent a catalyst for a sporting, social, cultural, educational, and economic transformation that will create new hope, opportunities and confidence for young people.
Dakar 2026 is born out of the desire to take the Youth Olympic Games to all parts of the world and to put the Games at the heart of Africa’s transformation. Senegal’s sporting culture and practice are rooted in history and in the population, especially young people.
It aims to be synonymous with symbiosis, exchange, joy, and pride, but also humility for young people worldwide, in Africa and Senegal. Sport is meant to be a celebration, a way of living together, a factor for peace, rapprochement and social cohesion.