Kenya Sevens ace clinches prestigious IOC award

Kenya Sevens talisman Kevin Wekesa has been named the winner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Climate Action Award, earning global recognition for his bold, practical approach to fighting climate change through sports.

The award celebrates individuals and organizations within the Olympic Movement who are taking decisive steps to combat climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

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The winners were unveiled ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, where the IOC honored sustainability initiatives delivering real environmental impact across the world.

Reacting to the accolade, Wekesa expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to environmental advocacy.

“Truly honored to be named an IOC Climate Action Award winner. Through Play Green, we are cutting single-use plastics in sports and working with schools to turn climate education into action,” he posted.

Wekesa’s recognition stems from his pioneering initiative, Play Green, a program that promotes eco-conscious behaviour within sports and grassroots communities.

Through the project, the Kenya 7s star has introduced aluminum water bottles to both the men’s and women’s national rugby teams, a move that eliminates an estimated 144 single-use plastic bottles per training session, nearly 1,000 bottles saved every week.

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Beyond the national setup, Play Green has expanded its footprint to more than 40 schools across Kenya, combining mentorship with sustainability workshops aimed at empowering young people to take climate action.

The program has already seen schoolchildren plant over 2,300 trees.

His advocacy extends beyond rugby.

Wekesa has spearheaded the planting of more than 1,500 trees in schools and communities, creating what he calls “Shujaa Forests,” while inspiring thousands of young people to take ownership of climate action.

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His campaign has also influenced other sporting codes, with the Kenya National Tennis Federation adopting similar plastic reduction measures and promoting a circular economy for sports gear.

The Kenya Sevens star now joins a distinguished list of global athletes driving climate action through sport.

Among them are Australian race walker Rhydian Cowley, who has championed climate action plans within athletics bodies, and New Zealand hockey player Hugo Inglis, co-founder of High Impact Athletes, which has mobilized over 240 athletes to direct more than USD 2 million towards climate and health initiatives.