Sharon Allela is the Partnerships and Media Lead Africa for Giants of Africa (GOA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through basketball by building courts and hosting camps. Sharon oversees partnerships, government relations, and public relations for GOA across 17 countries. GOA has committed to building 100 basketball courts in Africa, addressing the critical need for infrastructure, fostering youth mentorship, and providing educational opportunities through sports. To date, the GOA team has successfully built over 30 courts across the continent.
Sharon is also the founder of Adana, a consulting firm specializing in sports, media, and entertainment. Adana helps corporations fund sports initiatives, structure partnerships, and develop sports infrastructure in Africa. Her consulting career includes work with NBA Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the Kenyan government. Sharon began her career with Gor Mahia, East Africa’s leading football club, and has collaborated with athletes like marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge to manage marathons and raise funds for drilling wells in rural Kenya.
Raised between Nairobi and rural Kenya, Sharon was an avid soccer player with aspirations to join the Kenyan national team. However, a knee injury shifted her focus to sports management. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Kenyatta University, where she also played multiple sports.
Passionate about increasing girls’ and women’s participation in sports, Sharon serves on the board of Futbol Mas, an organization recognized for its corporate social responsibility efforts, mentoring over 1,500 children in Kenyan slums through football. Futbol Mas was recognized as the Best Football CSR at the World Football Summit.
An active and passionate polo player, Sharon serves on the board of the Nairobi Polo Club in Kenya. She has been instrumental in revitalizing polo in Kenya, with a focus on player development, inclusivity, diversity, and enhancing the fan experience.
Sharon is a regular contributor to publications such as Forbes Africa and Business Daily and has co-hosted one of the biggest football shows on Capital FM. Her dynamic career and dedication to sports development have made her a key figure in African sports.
