Rwandan junior cyclists Donatha Akimana and Emmanuel Shema are set to attend a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) training camp in Kenya as part of their preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The camp will provide the two young riders with an opportunity to improve their technical and physical abilities in a more demanding international training environment. This invitation comes after their strong performances at the 2026 ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Nairobi.
Akimana and Shema delivered impressive results at the 2026 ANOCA Zone V Youth Games, with Akimana winning gold in the women’s 60-kilometre road race and Shema claiming silver in the men’s 80-kilometre road race. Their performances in Nairobi provided valuable competitive experience and helped strengthen Rwanda’s preparations for Dakar. The UCI camp will offer another platform for the riders to work on areas such as endurance, race tactics, speed, positioning, and technical decision-making.
The UCI has increasingly expanded programmes aimed at identifying and developing promising riders from countries where access to high-level cycling opportunities remains limited. This invitation is part of a wider pathway through which young African cyclists are being given more opportunities to develop through international training and competition. Akimana and Shema have already demonstrated their potential at regional level, and this camp will help them refine their abilities.
For Akimana and Shema, the UCI camp represents a chance to prepare mentally and physically for an event that will bring together some of the world’s most promising young athletes. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly, Senegal. The Games will feature around 2,700 young athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees.
The cycling programme at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is scheduled for November 8 and 10, with 84 riders expected to compete in road events, including a road race and an individual time trial. Akimana and Shema will be competing against athletes from other countries, gaining experience and exposure to a higher level of competition. This experience will help them understand the level of competition they will face at the Youth Olympic Games.
Akimana expressed her excitement about the camp, stating that it will help her sharpen her skills, improve her preparation, and understand what is required at a higher level. Shema also highlighted the benefits of training in an international environment, saying it will expose him to new challenges and help him learn from other cyclists. The experience gained in Kenya and through the UCI programme will be crucial in their preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The invitation to the UCI camp is a significant step in the development of Rwandan cyclists, offering them a chance to refine their abilities and prepare for a major international event. As Akimana and Shema continue their preparations, they will focus on turning their experience into stronger performances when they represent Rwanda in Dakar. The UCI camp will play a critical role in their development as cyclists and their success at the Youth Olympic Games.
Key points
- Rwandan junior cyclists Donatha Akimana and Emmanuel Shema have been invited to a UCI training camp in Kenya to prepare for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
- The UCI camp will provide Akimana and Shema with an opportunity to improve their technical and physical abilities in a more demanding international training environment.
- The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will feature around 2,700 young athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees, competing in various events, including cycling.
