It’s time to invest in women’s rugby

With Kenya Lionesses’ great performance at the Hong Kong Sevens, it is time for the Kenya Rugby Union and other stakeholders to invest heavily in the women’s game. Although the Lionesses lifted their first ever Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup in May 2018, the team has since struggled in its preparation. But it is high time it is accorded the same treatment as their male counterparts whose season however seems to have taken a nose-dive.

The Lionesses reached their second consecutive Women Sevens Series Qualifiers in Hong Kong yesterday, only for their qualification dreams to be shattered after losing 17-5 to eventual champions Brazil.

Despite playing their last competitive tournament at the Dubai Sevens in December last year, Kevin Wambua’s girls showed character and resilience throughout the two-day qualifiers. With the great potential exhibited by the girls, there needs to be concerted effort to raise the standards of their game.

The union and the government should work closely to motivate the team, as Kenya Cup clubs incorporate them in their structures. And instead of the women’s clubs playing in the 10-aside tournaments, the union and clubs should streamline the league, allowing them to play in a well-structured sevens and fifteens leagues/competitions.

This will enable the game to grow, as well as provide a pool of quality and talented players for the national team. Sponsors should also come on board and help in rebuilding the team as they seek to break the series qualification barrier.