Mother, Player, Icon: Kalemera's trailblazing career with Kenya Lionesses

Kenya Lionesses prop Evelyne Kalemera in action against Uganda Lady Cranes.[Kenya Rugby Union]

In the world of sports, where youth often dominates and age is considered a limiting factor, Evelyne Kalemera Amulega stands as a testament to the idea that passion knows no age.

At 39, she recently retired from her illustrious career as the loose head prop for the national women's rugby 15s team, Kenya Lionesses.

Her final match was nothing short of spectacular, with Kenya thrashing Uganda Lady Cranes 87-3, a fitting farewell for a player who defied the odds from the very beginning.

Kalemera's story is unique not just for her achievements on the rugby field, but also for the fact that she began her rugby journey at an age when many athletes contemplate retirement.

Kenya Lionesses prop Evelyne Kalemera (center) sings the national anthem passionately.[Kenya Rugby Union]

At 31, an age often associated with winding down a sports career, Kalemera embraced the challenge of rugby with open arms.

"I began my journey when I was 31 years old, apparently the age where most athletes tend to gradually call off their playtime," Kalemera said.

"Before I began playing rugby, I had a random thought of representing my country one day... though I didn't know in which sport. And now, luckily thanks to joining rugby, I have lived the thought that's a dream come true."

Kenya Lionesses prop Evelyne Kalemera (center) lifts the Elgon Cup trophy with teammates.[Kenya Rugby Union]

Her brother Michael Shibadu was a constant source of inspiration during a challenging period.

"After being out of employment for such a long spell, I needed some distraction from boredom, and at that time, my elder brother Michael Shibadu was playing for Mwamba RFC," she said. "One day I was like, does this game of yours have a ladies side, and that's how I joined Mwamba Ladies RFC in 2015."

Despite starting later than most players, Kalemera's determination and love for the game propelled her on.

"Rugby is such an interesting game," she says, "Once it gets into your bloodstream, you don't want to stop. Above all, the urge to conquer and achieve great heights in the game was my driving force. I had really wanted to reach the World Cup stage as a player."

Kenya Lionesses prop Evelyne Kalemera and KRU boss Sasha Mutai.[Kenya Rugby Union]

On the pitch, Kalemera sees herself as just an ordinary player, but off the field, she has become an icon for her friends, colleagues, family, and fans. Winning the recently concluded Elgon Cup with an unprecedented score of 87-3 made her farewell match unforgettable.

Balancing the roles of a mother, an Office Administrative Assistant in the Ministry of Interior, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, and a rugby player might seem daunting to some, but Kalemera navigated these responsibilities with ease.

"Luckily for me, I have not been a young mother," she said. "At some point, I had to engage the help of my relatives in looking after my children, especially when the game was demanding. Now that they are in boarding school, I have ample time to focus on the game, and during holidays, I try to be there for them."

Kenya Lionesses prop Evelyne Kalemera in action against Uganda Lady Cranes.[Kenya Rugby Union]

For Kalemera, rugby is not just a physical sport; it requires mental fitness as well.

"The sheer knowledge that you play rugby makes you respectable," she said. Her children have also shown interest in the sport, with her daughter leaning towards following in her mother's footsteps and her son engaging in rugby as a pastime.

Drawing inspiration from former Kenya Lionesses stars Celestine Masinde and Sinaida Aura, as well as Kenyan rugby legend Collins Injera, Kalemera says that humility is a crucial trait in sports.

Her advice to mothers who aspire to play rugby is straightforward: "It's doable; you just have to have a balance. It's a demanding venture, not an easy one, but when you feel like giving up, think about why you started, and it will pay off if you do the right thing."

Kenya Lionesses prop Evelyne Kalemera.[Kenya Rugby Union]

Looking ahead, Kalemera is focusing on advancing her career, while remaining available to play for her local club, Mwamba Ladies RFC.

She says that female rugby players face numerous challenges, particularly lack of appreciation and acknowledgment of women's rugby, but despite these obstacles, she played for the love of the game.

"With the introduction of the WXV tiers, the future is bright," Kalemera said. "Whoever wants it more, will stay on the stage and reap in abundance. I would love all rugby governing bodies to put in place mechanisms that cater to the well-being of mother athletes. Age should not be the factor on which your performance is judged; it should be based on what you do practically. It should be up to the player to know when it's time."

Kenya Lionesses prop Evelyne Kalemera (center) lifts the Elgon Cup trophy with teammates.[Kenya Rugby Union]

As Kalemera bids farewell to her playing career, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience, passion, and the belief that age is just a number.

Her journey from a late rugby starter to an iconic figure in Kenyan women's rugby serves as an inspiration to athletes of all ages and backgrounds.

Evelyne Kalemera's story is a celebration of breaking norms, chasing dreams, and never underestimating the power of determination.