“Sometimes, all someone needs is a chance. The belief of one can awaken the belief of many.” Rukia Nusra.

In the heart of every athlete lies a story not just written in wins or stats, but in discipline, tenacity, and moments that define their path. For Rukia Nusra, that moment came through the Tujiamini Initiative, a collaboration between Sport Pesa and DBA Africa, an opportunity that didn’t just change her game, but changed her life.

Before the Breakthrough

Rukia’s journey began like many others: a young girl with potential, passion, and dreams that reached beyond her environment. But dreams, as powerful as they are, often need a push, an ignition. That’s where the Tujiamini Initiative came in. The programme, whose name translates to “Let’s Believe in Ourselves”, was created to offer overlooked or under-resourced athletes a chance to train, grow, and be mentored by top-level coaches. For many girls in sport in Kenya, opportunities like these remain rare, for Rukia, this meant stepping into sessions with one of the most respected coaches: Andrew Clement, a former GB masters and New Balance athlete, in an initiative by DBA Africa to further support her running career.

Training with Coach Clement: From Potential to Purpose

From her first session, it was clear Rukia was ready to absorb, evolve and fly. Under Coach Clement’s guidance, she wasn’t just another athlete learning drills; she was a young woman unlearning self-doubt, rebuilding confidence  and sharpening her craft. The intensity of the sessions, the discipline demanded and the hunger Coach Clement brought out in the athletes was exactly what Rukia needed. This approach reflects DBA’s wider work in creating pathways to success and sports development..

“Coach believed in me before I could fully believe in myself,” Rukia shared in a recent reflection. “That made all the difference.” It was about learning to show up, for herself. It was about leadership. About presence. About realizing that she had something to offer this sport, and the world, that no one else could.

Rukia Today: More Than Just an Athlete

Fast forward, and Rukia has emerged as a symbol of what belief, support and self-drive can produce. She is the current 100m and 60m hurdles record holder for Kenya, now based in the United States at the University of Kentucky, the Wildcats, on a full scholarship majoring in Public Health  .She runs with more awareness, speaks with more confidence and holds herself with the aura of someone who knows her value. She’s not just aiming for success on the track, she’s also inspiring the next generation of girls who are watching, quietly hoping for a chance of their own. Whether she’s on the track executing a perfectly timed hurdle or speaking to younger athletes after training, Rukia carries the message of “Tujiamini” with her, not as a past memory, but as a living mission.

The Bigger Picture: Why Her Story Matters

At DBA, our philosophy is simple: “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” Rukia’s journey encapsulates this in every way. Her growth is a powerful reminder that: Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.Her story reflects why programmes like DBA’s grassroots academies and girls’ inclusion initiatives are essential to the future of sport in Kenya. Belief can be taught and once it’s ignited, it can’t be stopped. Empowering girls in sports creates ripple effects that reach far beyond the field our research has shown when girls in sport are given access to safe spaces, quality coaching and mentorship, they don’t just excel; they change communities.
Watch Rukia reflect on her journey in this short testimonial.  

What We Learn from Rukia

1. Never underestimate where a chance can take you. One training camp. One coach’s belief. One “yes” can shift the entire story.
2. Growth isn’t always about skill, it’s about mindset. With the right guidance, Rukia learned how to own her strengths and confront her weaknesses head-on.
3. Representation matters. Rukia’s visibility as a thriving female athlete hurdler is an inspiration to girls to lace up and step out.
4. The power of “Tujiamini” is real. When athletes start to believe in themselves, their entire community starts to believe too.

Looking Ahead

Rukia’s story is still being written but the foundation is firm. With the continued support of DBA Africa, and her own unwavering determination, there’s no limit to how far she can go. Her journey represents what happens when investment in female athletes goes beyond the pitch and becomes about life, confidence, and opportunity. Whether it’s representing Kenya on an international stage, coaching the next wave of talent, or using her voice to advocate for female athletes, Rukia Nusra is living proof of what belief can build.

And to the next Rukia reading this, wondering if it’s possible: It is. It starts with belief. It starts with you.

At DBA Africa, we’re not just building athletes. We’re building futures.