Kenya rugby 7s team aims for gold in Rio

After their stunning victory in the Singapore 7s in April, Kenya’s rugby team is aiming for an exemplary performance in the Rio Olympic games scheduled to begin in a fortnight.

The team is set to leave for the games on Sunday after a rigorous high altitude training episode in the lush Nandi hills region.

Steered by Benjamin Ayimba, a former rugby player turned coach, the team has had improved performance in the international circuit and he says the team is aiming for gold.

“The gold actually, nothing less, for the boys the gold is a target we have got and for the girls to get to the top eight of their tournament because that will give us a platform to prepare then for the next Olympics.”

Rugby is making a debut in the Olympics this year and the team is looking forward to play in Rio.

“Rugby has not been in the Olympics so it’s awesome that it is now there. I don’t think that I would say that we are scared, we are just probably very excited. But we can’t let that get to us. We still need to have our focus, which is to play,” said Biko Adema a top rugby player.

Kenya is currently ranked ninth in the word and the team is drawn in a tough pool c in Rio, alongside England, Japan and former world champions New Zealand.

Apart from their success in the Singapore 7s, the team reached the semi- final of the World Cup in Dubai in 2009.

Following its success, many young Kenyans are now inspired to also join rugby as a future career path.

AFP