Rwanda is among 11 countries competing in the 2026 ANOCA Zone 5 Youth Games in Nairobi, with seven young athletes representing the country across three disciplines.
The Games are taking place at Kenyatta University from August 24 to 28, bringing together young athletes from Burundi, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Rwanda’s delegation comprises Abizera Sonia Eli Elohe in athletics; Shema Emmanuel and Akimana Donatha in cycling; and swimmers Ntwali Jayden, Murenzi Sheja Kean, Keza Kalisa and Mugabo Aragsan.
The athletes are competing in a regional event designed to give young competitors valuable international experience and help develop the next generation of African sporting talent.
The Games feature seven sports: athletics, 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, judo, swimming and tennis.
For Rwanda, the competition also provides an important preparation platform ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled for October 31 to November 13.
The ANOCA Zone 5 Youth Games were first held in 2019 in Huye, Rwanda, providing young athletes with opportunities to gain international exposure and build experience for higher-level competitions.
