No rest for dazzling Shujaa as focus shifts to Olympic Games

The Kenya Sevens team, Shujaa, will not be resting on their laurels as they begin preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Shujaa made their way back to the World Series following their dominant 33-15 victory over Germany in a tense playoff match in Madrid on Sunday but they will not take a lot of time off as Olympic glory beckons.

The team jets into the country today, Tuesday, June 4, with Sports CS Ababu Namwamba and the Kenya Rugby Union chair Sasha Mutai having great plans for the team in their build up to the Olympic Games.

Speaking following Shujaa’s victory, Namwamba noted that the team was well prepared, thanks to their training in Miramas and as they head to the Olympics, the ministry will work around the clock to ensure the squad is well trained.

“This is a historic moment, bouncing right back to the world rugby sevens high table which means so much, I mean, it is difficult to put it into words.

“It is the best Madaraka Day gift that the lads have given to all of us…congratulations to the boys. We are going to reward them appropriately.

“We are going to prepare them properly and I’m glad that we did that before these Games. They got here in time and all their allowances were catered for and everything was done in good time,” Namwamba said.

Focus now shifts to the Paris 2024 Olympics where they will have the huge task of representing Africa and the CS noted that they will ensure Shujaa are ready for the date with destiny when that time comes.

“We want them to go to the Olympics to compete for the podium front. We want to prepare them well for that and the World Series, it’s a big deal. As government, we are going to support them henceforth and with higher commitment of resources fully,” Namwamba said.

Meanwhile, Mutai also insisted there is no time to waste as the team now shifts focus to winning an Olympic medal. He explained that team work has yielded great results and they will be looking to maintain that as they head to the Olympics.

“We had great hopes and the team has actualised our hopes and now our focus is on the Olympics. It was hard in the Challenger Series but we were focused since the team was well prepared and we thank our sponsors SportPesa, the Kenyan government and NOC-K for their support.

“This is all about teamwork, so the team work is happening and working and that’s how you can see the result. Let’s enjoy this week and then focus on winning an Olympic medal,” Mutai said.