Sahel Rugby League Club, based in Garoua in the north of Cameroon accepted the invitation to participate in the Laureane Biville women’s rugby league tournament – but that is just the start of the story…

On Thursday, July 22 the team set off on the 1000km journey to Yaounde, a journey that would take 2 days Sahel coach, Ma ïla aïsso Sylvie faced some difficulties in attending but was determined to support her players to get to the capital and to take part in the tournament. Mai has a newborn baby and a 4-year-old daughter but that didn’t deter her. She took the girls with her to experience the tournament and to ensure that the team could take part.

“I had to do my absolute best to get our girls to the capital and allow them to live the best experience of their lives playing the sport they love most,” said Mai.

“I believe as women we must lead the way by showing the world that motherhood is a blessing in sports and that although it may be tough to juggle the two, we have an image to show to our young women of the future and although the team did not want me to bring the baby, we all know there’s nowhere safer than in her mother’s arms.”

For the record, Sahel reached the semi-finals but in typical fashion Mai said “I guarantee you that once back home, we will double our efforts so that at the next edition we can validly represent the Far North.”

Then it was back on the bus for two days – real commitment in action.