Kenya's rising Lionesses target success at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Kenya's girls' rugby sevens team, the Rising Lionesses, are stepping up their preparations ahead of the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

Competing against seven other nations from November 1 to 3, the team hopes to turn weeks of hard work into strong performance on the international stage.

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To prepare for the global competition, the players completed an intensive four-weekend training program.

The camp focused on physical conditioning, skill development, tactical gym work and team bonding.

Winger Christie Kamatha shared that the structured routine kept the players motivated while providing proper recovery time.

"The training consisted of four weeks of camp during the really good weekends. We've gotten different aspects of training from skills to conditioning and gym, and we all get to do things like swimming sometimes for fun and to cool down," said Kamatha.

Head coach Knight Otwoma and the technical team focused on sharpening tactical awareness, attacking patterns and defensive structures.

Otwoma encouraged a supportive environment where players could build confidence through experience.

"The preparations have been good; we've been focusing on tactics, defence, attack and teamwork. I've allowed the girls to make mistakes and they learn from mistakes, and we grow from there," said Otwoma.

For team captain Diana Wanjiku, stepping onto the pitch in Dakar represents a major milestone and the fulfilment of a lifelong goal.

"I feel very proud now that I'm representing the badge of Kenya Rugby Union. I'm playing for Kenya, and now that I'm going for the Olympics on Saturday, I feel good; it's a pleasure playing for Kenya; that has been my dream since I started playing," said Wanjiku.

The women's rugby sevens tournament will take place at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop in Dakar.

The eight competing teams are divided into two pools of four:

Pool A: Kenya, Senegal (hosts), Australia and China

Pool B: United States, Spain, Madagascar and Czech Republic

As they prepare to face some of the world's finest emerging young talent, the Rising Lionesses remain determined to make their nation proud at Dakar 2026.

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