Kenya Sevens squad to rugby world cup in Russia named

By John Lawrence

The Kenya National Sevens technical bench has named a 16-man squad to London for a ten- day training camp ahead of the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Russia.

In a press conference held Thursday at KRU grounds, the sevens team assistant coach Felix Ochieng’ named Andrew Amonde, William Ambaka, Davis Chenge, Eden Agero, Patrice Agunda, Horace Otieno, Philip Wamae, Biko Adema, Lavin Asego, Felix Ayange, Michael Wanjala, Robert Aringo, Collins Injera, Humphrey Kayange, Dennis Ombachi and Oscar Ouma.

Ochieng,’ who was standing in for head coach Mike Friday who left for London last Saturday, said that the selection was purely based on this season’s performance.

“Selecting the 16 players has been a challenge for the technical bench but we managed to come up with a list of players who have shown a high level of commitment besides high strength and conditioning standards,” Ochieng’ said.

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee expressed satisfaction with the team’s level of preparations for the World Cup and called upon all Kenyans to rally behind the team as they prepare for the global event.

Supports Friday

Thanking head coach Friday and his team Muthee said, “The KRU fully supports Mike Friday and wish him best of luck, with the conviction that he is capable of leading the boys to clinching the World Cup.”

Muthee called upon corporates and the Government to support the sevens team, stating that the team needed incentives for a better performance.

Portrayed positively

“The World Cup is the pinnacle and we need our boys to be inspired. I urge everyone to maintain positive hype in the build-up to the World Cup.

“Potential corporate partners of Kenya rugby should also note the immense television exposure that the Kenya national Sevens team will bring to the country.

The World Cup will be watched by millions all over the world and what a time it will be for our country to be portrayed positively if we do well in Moscow,” Muthee added.

The sevens team kit sponsors Kenya Airways through their Sponsorships & Promotions Manager Georgina Ndawa reiterated that KQ will still offer incentives to the team after the World Cup.

She said: “On behalf of Kenya Airways, I wish to re-affirm that the bonuses still remain intact even as we expect a lot of commitment from the team. Let’s bring the cup home.”

The team will be guided by a technical bench made up of head coach Friday, Ochieng- (Assistant Coach), Chris Brown -Strength & Conditioning coach, George Odhiambo- Physiotherapist and Steven Sewe as the Team Manager.

The team leaves on Saturday 15 June but the final squad of 12 to Moscow World Cup will be announced in London on June 25.