This Wednesday, July 24, is the opening of the rugby 7s competition at the Paris Olympic Games. One of the African hopes in the men’s category is the Kenyan team, Kenya Shujaa. They have come a long way: they left the Elite World Tour last year and have just rejoined it. It is with great hope that the Kenyan rugby 7s team is playing in Paris. For them, the stakes are high: a possible professionalization.
In the Kasarani stadium, on the outskirts of Nairobi, the rugby players of Kenya Shujaa are training. They hit hard and the shields absorb the shocks. Today was a defensive training, explains Louis Kisia, co-coach of the team, That’s why you see a lot of sacks and shields. We do a lot of slow conditioning. Our strengths are kickoffs, our returns are very good. Our static phases too. Our recoveries are almost perfect. »
The co-coach has ambition for his team: ” [Nous sommes] up and ready! Clearly, we are aiming for a podium. Gold, silver or bronze. The Kenya is known for its runners and we are proud of it. We want to do the same. I am sure we will surprise more than one. »
Players who have to work multiple jobs to earn a living
In Kenya, rugby sevens is still amateur or semi-professional. Vincent Onyala is captain of the national team, and much more: ” I am a student, a businessman and a sports coach… That’s what I do for a living when I’m not playing rugby. »
And for the captain, his training is not necessarily enough: ” I could improve my training, but considering all the other things I have to do to make a decent living, that’s where it gets tricky, because I can’t train every day. But once we win a medal, we can talk about certain topics again. »
The challenge of olympiads is therefore big for Kenya Shujaa. After its relegation last year, the team lost its sponsors. Today, back in the Elite and qualified for the Olympic Games, it is thinking big. After the Olympics, we will work on a new team with all the players under contract until 2026, so that they play full time. », says the team manager, Steven Sewe. Regarding the question of funding, he explains that he received ” some promises » : “ Until now, it is the government that has supported this team, with playing allowances or even plane tickets. And these are not small sums. But now we need to reduce this government support, which will be possible when we have an official sponsor who can take care of the team’s salaries. That is the most important thing today. »
For now, the Kenyans are focusing on the competition. First meeting this Wednesday against a tough opponent: Argentina.
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