The national women’s beach handball team ‘Sand Queens’ is drawing inspiration from the Kenya women’s rugby team which was recently crowned as the 2026 Youth Olympics champions in Dakar, Senegal.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsLed by Coach Caroline Nyadiero, the beach handball team left Nairobi for Dakar on Thursday, 5 November morning with enthusiasm of cloning the indelible achievement of the Rising Lionesses, who humbled Australia 17-12 in the final to grab a gold medal, a feat that has arched their names into in the annals of history.##NAJAVA_MECA_10087365##“The rugby team has really boosted our morale, and it is a good challenge to us by winning the gold medal,” Nyadiero said at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before their departure.“They have surely hoisted our flag high, and for us is just to draw inspiration from that remarkable achievement. We are heading to Dakar with hope and determination that we are able as well to come back with a medal, and we have set our eyes on the gold medal. The win for the Rising Lionesses is a great motivation.”Dakar Olympics: Mighty Kenya claim gold after massive upset against AustraliaKenya is in Group B alongside hosts Senegal, Uruguay and France. Sand Queens will begin its campaign against Uruguay at the Saly beach on 9 November, and will face France in the afternoon.“We have monitored our opponents and we know their weaknesses and strengths,” Nyadiero added. “The group looks tough on paper, but we are also determined to put in the work to achieve our target in the competition.”Road to Magical Kenya Open qualification pathway for regional players revealedTeam captain Mercy Wanyonyi, who schools at St. Johns Kaloleni in Kilifi County, echoed her coach’s remarks heading to the Games.“We have prepared well since we left Angola, to where we finished second in the African Youth Games. We have been working on our mistakes, especially defending and attacking. We want to improve our performance, and we want to make our country proud again in this Games,” she said.Kenya’s 15-year-old fencer Aliyah Makena also jetted out on Thursday morning, and will be making her debut on the world stage, competing in women’s épée fencing.How Mwamba navigated key player absences to clinch 5th consecutive Impala Floodlights titleMakena is coached by Georgina Mukami, and hopes to announce herself in a big way at the Dakar Youth Games. “My goal in Dakar is to leave a lasting mark behind Kenya fencing and everyone in general. I know the competition will be tough because other competitors have prepared as well as I have, but for me, I carry a dream, and I am hoping to give a good show for my country.”
14