Kenya is ramping up preparations to host the HSBC SVNS tournament, an event that has been described as the biggest and most prestigious rugby sevens competition ever staged in the country.
Players, officials and administrators say the tournament, set for February 14 and 15, represents a major milestone for Kenyan rugby and places the country firmly on the global sporting map.
Speaking on the preparations by the national teams, Shujaa 7s co-captain Samuel Asati said both the men’s and women’s sides are intensifying training to ensure strong performances on home soil.
“This is a prestigious event that we are hosting. The boys and the girls are preparing quite well. The Shujaa are coming back from a high-performance camp in South Africa, the ladies are in camp too and we hope they are travelling to Spain for a high-performance camp also, and all this is to make sure we make you proud on the 14th and 15th,” Asati said.
Lionesses captain Sheila Chajira noted that the partnerships are already yielding tangible benefits.
“This partnership goes a long way for both the Shujaa and the Lionesses, opening doors to valuable exposure. Shujaa going to South Africa for camp and the Lionesses travelling to Spain provides opportunities to face high-performance teams, gain international experience, and grow Kenyan rugby,” she said.
The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has also confirmed major partnerships ahead of the tournament, which are expected to significantly boost preparations for both national teams.
KRU Chief Executive Officer Thomas Odundo described hosting the HSBC SVNS as a landmark achievement, noting that Kenya had to demonstrate financial and organisational capacity to secure the hosting rights.
“It is a milestone for us. This is the biggest Sevens event we have ever hosted in this country. When we put in our bid, we were asked if we had a budget and how we proposed to meet it. We explained that we would generate revenue through staging, engage the Government of Kenya for support, and not rely 100 percent on government but bring partners on board. That convinced them, and we were given the event,” Odundo said.
KRU Chairperson Harriet Achieng Okach said the tournament will elevate Kenya’s status as a global sporting destination while giving local players a competitive advantage.
“In terms of hosting, the HSBC Sevens Tournament puts us on that platform where, globally, they can recognize Kenya as a good sporting venue where people can come and compete as well as watch. It gives our players that leverage to be able to start the Division Two legs in Kenya on home ground, with home fans. So it will encourage them, motivate them to be able to perform highly, because every win counts,” she said.
Okach added that delivering a successful tournament requires extensive collaboration and acknowledged the role of the government in making the event possible.
“Hosting such an event is not an easy task and requires many partners to come on board to ensure its success. We recognize and appreciate the strong support from the government through the Ministry of Sports, without which hosting this event would not be possible,” she said.
The HSBC SVNS tournament is expected to attract global attention, provide Kenyan teams with invaluable exposure, and mark a new chapter in the country’s rugby and sports-hosting history.
Read: Historic Win As Kenya Confirmed to Host Opening Leg of HSBC SVNS 2
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