Permanent Secretary, State Department for Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs Engineer Peter Tum receives Shujaa. Photo Ministry of Sports
The National rugby Sevens Team, Shujaa, returned home on Tuesday after a triumphant outing at the Madrid Challengers Series which saw them swiftly return to the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Shujaa were received by the Permanent Secretary, State Department for Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs Engineer Peter Tum among other officials.
The players were handed a banquet of flowers om arrival as a carnival mood flooded the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Shujaa returned to the World Sevens Series after a convincing 33-15 win over Germany in a promotion playoff quarterfinal match at the Wanda Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid on Sunday.
It was sweet revenge for Kenya after a painful 19-17 defeat to the Germans just over two weeks ago during the Challenger Sevens Series in Munich, Germany.
Photo: Ministry of Sports
Shujaa had kicked off their campaign on a strong note, defeating Samoa 19-10 before narrowly losing 10-5 to Spain in their second match.
Kelvin Wambua’s side returned to winning ways in their last match of Pool B, smashing Chile 36-7 in the ongoing Grand Final in Madrid on Saturday.
National Olympics Committee of Kenya (Nock), Secretary General Francis Mutuku, was elated to see the team also qualify for the Paris Summer Olympics. The team will make their third consecutive appearance at the Olympics since their debut at the Rio Olympics.
“As we head for the Olympics, we needed something good to happen in our sport, and the rugby team has given us that good feeling and confidence t o head to Paris and expect good results. The plan KRU shared with us involved making it back to the series and qualifying for Olympics and we are glad both goals have been attained. and that training in Miramas has paid off.” Said Mutuku.
Shujaa celebrate their return to the HSBC SVNS for 2025 after defeating Germany 33-15 photo Arigi KRU
Humphery Kayange an Olympian and retired rugby player who was instrumental in the 7s program, could hardly hide his excitement seeing the team back in the HSBC SVNS having tasted the HSBC Singapore Sevens victory back in 2016.
“We spoke about coming to the series and what the journey will look like, possible challenges, there’s a lot of potential in the team. I know what this means having been a player. We spoke of it, we dreamt of it, and now KENYA, we are back in!” said Kayange who is also Nock athlete representative.
Team will be going back to training while focusing on a podium finish at the Olympics after they rest for a few days.
