The Kenya Lionesses rugby team is gearing up to defend their Safari Sevens women's trophy at the 28th edition of the global championship, set to take place at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. Captain Sheila Chajira expressed confidence in her team's abilities, stating that they have done everything right and are fit and ready for the competition. The Lionesses will battle five other sides in the women's tournament, which will be played in a round-robin format.
The Lionesses have been training alongside Tunisia, who are the first side to arrive in the country to acclimatise ahead of the tournament. Chajira said that her team has played several fixtures against Tunisia to gauge themselves and that they are in shape. The new inclusions in the squad are also giving the team value for money, according to Chajira. The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has been supporting the team's preparations at their grounds along Ngong Road.
KRU has opted to name the women's glittering cup the 'Warren Abrahams Trophy' in honour of the fallen Belgian coach. Abrahams collapsed and passed away during last season's tournament at Nyayo Stadium while coaching rugby. The union has also invited Abrahams' brother to attend this year's tournament as a sign of respect. Warren Abrahams was a coach, teacher, and passionate advocate for the development of women's rugby.
The Lionesses will face stiff competition from teams such as Tunisia, Uganda, Kenya Cubs, TUKs women, and the Junior Lionesses. The team that accumulates the maximum points will be crowned the champion. Kenya Shujaa, the men's team, is also gearing up to defend their trophy, which is expected to be a fierce battle. The men's competition will feature 12 teams, including newcomers, the Rwanda national Sevens.
Tournament Director Kevin Wambura said that the men's competition will provide a competitive field with teams battling through pool stages before progressing to the knockout phase. The Safari Sevens championship is a major event in the rugby calendar, and Kenyan fans are expected to turn up in large numbers to cheer on their teams. Chajira urged fans to support the Lionesses and other Kenyan sides competing in the tournament.
The Kenya Lionesses won the trophy last season by beating Uganda 14-0. The team has been training hard to retain the title, and Chajira believes that they have what it takes to emerge victorious. The championship will be a great opportunity for the Lionesses to showcase their skills and compete against top teams from around the world.
The 28th edition of the Safari Sevens global championship is set to kick off at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Friday. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament, which promises to be an exciting and competitive event. With the Kenya Lionesses and Kenya Shujaa gearing up to defend their titles, the championship is expected to be a thrilling experience for rugby enthusiasts.
Key points
- The Kenya Lionesses are confident in their ability to defend their Safari Sevens women's trophy.
- The team has been training hard and has played several fixtures against Tunisia to gauge themselves.
- The championship will feature 12 teams in the men's competition and six teams in the women's competition.
