Kenyan teams at Safari Sevens urged to emulate marathon stars

Kenya Rugby Union chairman Gangla Oduor has urged Kenyan representatives in the upcoming Safari Sevens to emulate the marathon world record holders Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei by winning the title.

Kipchoge added another feather in his cap after clocking an astonishing 1:59:40, shattering the mythical sub-two marathon barrier, while Kosgei broke the women marathon record that was set by Paula Radcliffe 16 years ago.

“It has been a great sporting week for the nation where records were broken and examples set am hoping that will continue this weekend with our rugby teams,” said Gangla.

Kenya will have three representatives namely, Shujaa, Kenya Morans and Kenya cup champions KCB.

Shujaa are in Pool C alongside South Africa’s Blue Bulls, Russia academy and Zambia, while the Kenya Moran are pooled alongside South Africa neighbours Uganda,  and Burundi in pool A.

Kenya cup champions KCB are in Pool D, and they will face off with HSBC core side Spain, Zimbabwe and Seventise RFC.

Kenya last won the title in 2013 when Shujaa defeated Australia Renegades 40-7 in match played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on 22 September and the Union chairman is confident the current teams can emulate the 2013 success.

“We want to see a strong performance by the teams, it’s important to wrestle the title back and make our fans proud,” added the chairman.

This  years’s tournament begins on Friday and will end on Sunday at the RFUEA grounds along Ngong Road.

This was Kenya’s first title since 2010 when they beat Emerging Springboks 17-12 in the final at the RFUEA ground. Overall, it was the seventh title after previous wins in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009.