BBC Sports Africa’s Celestine Karoney is without a doubt one of East Africa’s most experienced female journalists.
Karoney’s passion for the journalism profession began in 2005 when she was a third-year student at the Eldoret-based Moi University.
During her childhood, the ex-CGTN reporter had dreams of becoming a lawyer but ended up pursuing a bachelor of science degree in information.
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Since Karoney was destined to become a journalist, she majored in media and communication and from there the rest is history.
After completing her university studies in 2006, she secured an internship at KTN the same year.
It was while at KTN that her star started shining and within a year’s period, Karoney managed to cover her maiden international tournament.
Although she had very little experience, the top management at the Mombasa road-based Media house, trusted her to cover the Special Olympics that was staged in Shanghai, China in 2007.
Some of the other high-profile international events Karoney went on to cover in her professional career include the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON), the IAAF World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
Karoney, who has worked at BBC Sports Africa for over five years, also had the privilege of covering both the Rugby 7s World Cup and the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series.
In a recent interview, the multi-skilled journalist, who has worked in the industry for more than 17 years, revealed that the journey has been very demanding.
“As someone who has been in the field for more than 10 years. The journey has not been always easy with its ups and downs.
“But it is the vision and dream that I have always had of achieving that which I have set out to do that has kept me going.
“And in this journey as well, I have stood on the shoulders of some amazing women and that has also seen me through,” she commented.
According to the journalist who holds a master's in business administration from the University of Cumbria and Robert Kennedy College, the biggest lesson she has learnt in her career is to always have a rapport with sportspersons.
"In hindsight, this was the biggest lesson I learned when it came to preparing for an international assignment for a local journalist.
"If you can, always make time to interact with some of the athletes you are going to cover, goes a long way once in competition, easier to get interviews because you already have a rapport," she told South African-based Cricket broadcaster Kass Naidoo.