DAKAR, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- As Africa counts down to its first Olympic event, Kenyan rugby veteran and Athlete Role Model Sheila Chajira believes that a "reachable" dream can inspire hundreds of millions of young hearts across the continent.
Africa is home to the world's largest concentration of childhood, and its young population is growing faster than anywhere else, according to the United Nations Children's Fund. Nearly 691 million under-18s live in African Union member states, roughly 46 percent of the continent's population.
Speaking of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Chajira recently told Xinhua that this historic event could be a game-changer for young Africans who dream of reaching the world's top sporting stage one day.
"The YOG, for the first time being held in Africa, is a platform for African girls and boys who have a dream to one day play in the Olympics. It brings them closer to their ultimate goal," she said. "Many playing in local tournaments now have something tangible to look forward to."
At just 22, Chajira was part of Kenya's inaugural women's rugby sevens team at the Olympics, as the sport made its Games debut at Rio 2016. "Being part of the team selected for the Olympics was a dream, but at the same time, I didn't know what to expect when I went out there," she recalled.
Excited yet humbled, Chajira found herself facing her idol Portia Woodman. She recalled Woodman telling her that even a powerhouse like New Zealand had not started at the top, but had built its success through patience and consistency.
The Lionesses may have left Rio in 11th place, but they did so with their heads held high.
"Knowing where we come from, the facilities we have, and the small things we get has motivated us or helped us reach where we are and we can perform and play against the best of the best," said Chajira.
The early exit still gave them a taste of "what Olympics are all about," and they went home with a clear sense of "what to expect and how to train" to compete at the next level.
"When we got a chance to participate and compete in the 2020 Olympics, we knew what it entailed. To the younger girls who were coming in, we were able to tell them about how incredible it is to play in the Olympics," she noted.
"We had to fight as a team and make sure that every game that we play, we play it like it's a final. Even if we lose, we know we win; we tick the small boxes that we are able to tick. Going to Tokyo, our minds are different."
Now 32, Chajira looked back on her journey, drawing lessons that go well beyond medals and results. "Being an Olympian is a dream for every athlete," she said. "I love being an Olympian because of the commitment it demands."
"Through the Olympics, I have been able to get unexpected opportunities and a relentless drive. Training and competing among the best athletes in the world instills values that help you not only in sport, but in life in general. It is a massive, life-changing thing," she noted.
While still playing as Kenya's national team captain and a mainstay at the Harlequins Women, Chajira also served as the club's head coach, completed strength and conditioning courses, as well as introduced the sport to more girls, including those in the Kibera informal settlement.
As an Athlete Role Model recognized by the International Olympic Committee, Chajira did not take the title lightly.
"It's a big responsibility, because you are helping athletes stay on the right path to attain their goals through your example and mentorship ... I am proud to be who I am and to help others navigate their athletic path to the Olympics," she said.
For Chajira, the Olympics were long perceived as "a distant dream" for Africans when hosted abroad, whereas staging the sporting spectacle on African soil "means it is reachable."
"It motivates training athletes to realize that if the Games can come to Africa, we as Africans can also reach the highest levels in world sports. I am truly looking forward to watching the girls and boys play," she added.
Since Chajira first picked up a rugby ball in her high school years, the game in Kenya has come a long way.
Community clubs have multiplied, domestic tournaments are flourishing, national teams are playing more on the continental and world stage, and Kenya has even hosted a leg of the global circuit earlier this year.
"We couldn't have said that rugby was a career then. We were just doing it for fun or just getting out of a dark space," she said. "But right now, I'm happy to say that rugby pays. Players can get something back home and sustain themselves through it. The table has turned. Things are far better than how I started."
Chajira has set sights on a lasting legacy from the Dakar YOG, stressing that Africa can only unlock its full athletic potential by moving beyond stop-start preparation and committing to long-term, structured youth programs.
"Africa has talent," she said. "I would love to see more youth competitions, because in many African countries, we often only start training when a tournament is approaching."
"If we get a consistent program running -- moving a player seamlessly from under-15 to under-18, under-20, and then to the senior level -- we will leave a better sports legacy. Consistency creates the best of the best players," she added. ■
