World marathon record holder Sabastian Sawe, Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba, forward Fasila Adhiambo, 800m world champion Lilian Odira and a host of Kenya’s sporting legends are among 25 sports personalities proposed for recognition as National Heroes in 2026.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe nominations, contained in the National Heroes Council’s proposed list, celebrate achievements across athletics, football, disability sport, chess, skating, netball, karate and sports administration.The wider list contains 242 Kenyans drawn from different fields, with the sports category recognising athletes, coaches, administrators and individuals whose achievements or contributions have helped advance the country’s sporting landscape.Kenya U15 boys and girls post mixed opening results in RwandaImportantly, these are proposed nominations and not yet final National Hero awards.Odemba, Fasila recognised for Starlets revivalOdemba is among the football figures whose contribution to the resurgence of women’s football has earned national recognition.The Harambee Starlets coach is being honoured for her exemplary contribution to women’s football after guiding Kenya to its second Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification in 10 years.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930468##Kenya secured its return to the continental showpiece after overcoming The Gambia 4-1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round, ending a decade-long wait since the team’s previous appearance in 2016.Odemba subsequently led the Starlets at the WAFCON in Morocco, marking an important chapter in the rebuilding of Kenya’s women’s national team.The Council specifically cites her role in securing qualification as the basis for the nomination.STARS ABROAD: Ouma makes Championship debut as Vyner is benched in Wrexham winFasila Adhiambo, meanwhile, has also been proposed for recognition following her contribution to the historic qualification.The Council describes Adhiambo as a midfielder and forward capable of linking defence and attack, breaking up opposition play and creating scoring opportunities. She was part of the Starlets squad that secured Kenya’s return to the WAFCON after 10 years.Chemutai's football project earns recognitionAnother football figure on the list is Rose Chemutai, CEO of APS Bomet.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930472##Chemutai is being recognised for leadership in sports and for establishing the club as a local football initiative aimed at bridging the gap between the police and the community.Under her leadership, APS Bomet rose from a community project to the National Super League (NSL) in the 2021/22 season before eventually earning promotion to the top flight for the 2025/26 campaign, before finishing 10th in their maiden Premier League season,Her nomination therefore goes beyond results on the pitch, with the Council highlighting her strategic management and role in using football as a vehicle for community engagement.History as Harambee Starlets captain qualifies for UEFA Champions LeagueFrancis LiboyiFootball is further represented by Francis Omukuba Liboyi, president of the Kenya Football Fans Federation (KEFOFA).He is recognised for his contribution to football culture, sports diplomacy and fan engagement, including mobilising more than 5,000 Kenyan supporters to travel to Uganda in 2012 and Egypt in 2019 to back the national team.Odira leads a powerful athletics contingentThe athletics category is the biggest component of the proposed sports honours, with 12 athletes and administrators included.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930472##Among them is Lilian Odira, who has established herself among Kenya’s leading middle-distance runners.She is being recognised after winning 800m gold at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and silver at the 2024 African Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon.World 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech is also nominated. Her 8:44.32 world record, set at the 2018 Monaco Diamond League, made her the first woman to break both the 8:50 and 8:45 barriers.Omanyala reveals timeline for return to training after ending season earlyHer honours also include 2019 World Championships gold and 2018 African Championships gold.Two-time world junior champion Mercy Cherono, 2019 world 1,500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot, and steeplechase star Paul Kipsiele Koech are also recognised for their international achievements.Former 10,000m world-record holder William Sigei, 800m and 1,500m medallist Robert Kibet Langat, and middle-distance star Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot are also on the list.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930446##Reynold's nomination includes his 2022 World U20 1,500m title, 2023 African U20 gold and his 3:48.06 world U20 mile record set at the 2023 Diamond League Final in Eugene.The list also recognises Edmund Serem, the 2024 World U20 champion and 2026 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, alongside marathon star Sebastian Kimeru Sawe.Sawe is listed for his remarkable marathon achievements, including the Council's recognition of his 1:59:30 run at the 2026 London Marathon, which it describes as a world record in a record-eligible race.Tusker coach reveals lessons learned after accompanying players to watch Malkia StrikersHis other cited achievements include gold at the 2023 World Athletics Road Running and Cross Country Championships and the 2025 Berlin Marathon.Completing the athletics representation are Carolyne Anyango Ocholla Kola, recognised for decades of athlete development and coaching, and Barnaba Kipyego Korir, honoured for his work in athletics administration and grassroots talent development.Disability sport, chess and emerging disciplines representedThe proposed honours extend well beyond mainstream athletics and football.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930432##Athman Hashim Kamau is recognised for his contribution to sports for persons with disabilities after helping lead Kenya's national amputee football team to the 2025 CECAFA Amputee Football Championship title in Burundi and qualification for continental and World Cup competitions.Janet Atieno makes history after becoming the first deaf Kenyan to win a medal at the Deaf Chess World Individual Blitz Championship, taking bronze in 2026.Freestyle slalom skater Kevin Ruhiu Kiarie is recognised after winning gold at the 2026 African Skating Championship in Cairo and silver at the Challenge Skating Championships in Benin.Kenya U15 boys and girls post mixed opening results in RwandaPara-athlete Travis Njoroge Kimani is honoured after winning Kenya's first international gold medal in para dance at the 2026 World Ability Sport Youth Games in Mersin, Turkey.The disability-sport representation is further strengthened by Sela Adikinyi Odhiambo, a prominent powerlifter and administrator who won bronze at the 2024 IBSA World Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships and serves as Global Chairperson of IBSA.Michelle Chepngetich Yegon is also recognised for her para-athletics and para-badminton achievements at the World Ability Sport Youth Games.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930451##Netball and karate also make the listNetball gets representation through Irene Anyango Otieno, who was named MVP at the 2025 UAE Netball Cup and helped Kenya win gold at the 2024 Mirxes Nations Cup and 2025 Singlife Nations Cup in Singapore.In karate, Stephen Mapale Wesonga is recognised as a practitioner, coach and administrator, with the Council citing his gold at the 2018 East African and World Authority Traditional Karate Commonwealth Championships and his contribution to nurturing young talent.The National Heroes Day done during Mashujaa Day celebrations, is scheduled for Tuesday, 20 October, when the country traditionally honours individuals whose service and achievements have made a significant contribution to Kenya.