The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
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digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Kenya Lionesses' captain Philadelphia Olando. [Courtesy-KRU]
Philadelphia Olando will captain the Kenya Lionesses rugby team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Orlando is one of three survivors from the squad that played at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Others are Sheila Chajira and Janet Okello.
The Lionesses will be aiming to perform better and make their way out of Pool A where they will face New Zealand, Russia and Great Britain.
Head coach Felix Oloo gave an insight into squad selection, saying fitness, discipline and injuries played a role in selection.
“We based our selection criteria on attendance, discipline, medical assessment, player fitness as well as an understanding of the game and positional roles each player has. This is what guided our selection of the final 13 players.”
“We also have a few players who missed out on the selection because they are yet to recover from injuries picked up in previous tournaments,” he said.
Oloo said they expect a tough outing after been pitted against some of the world’s great teams.
“I am very excited to play against the greatest teams in the world at the Olympics, much as we are the underdogs, we plan to play to win. We shall give our best and let character win the day when we take on to the pitch. We ask our fans back home to support us throughout the tournament.”
Here is the team headed to Tokyo for the games:
Coaches
Felix Oloo: Head Coach
Kenya Lionesses' head coach Felix Oloo. [Courtesy-KRU]
Samuel Njogu: Assistant Coach
Kenya Lionesses' assistant coach Samuel Njogu. [Courtesy-KRU]
Players
Name: Philadelphia Olando
Position: Inside forward
Club: Northern Suburbs
Olympic appearance: 2016
National Team Debut: 2007
Name: Sheila Chajira
Position: Outside forward
Club: Homeboyz
Olympic appearance: 2016
National Team Debut: 2014
Kenya Lionesses' Sheila Chajira. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Janet Okello
Position: Halfback
Club: Mwamba RFC
Olympic appearance: 2016
National Team Debut: 2013
Janet Okello [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Cynthia Atieno
Position: Center
Club: Homeboyz
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2015
Cynthia Atieno [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Grace Adhiambo
Position: Flyhal
Club: Top Fry Nakuru
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2016
Kenya Lionesses' Grace Adhiambo. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Stellah Wafula
Position: Outside forward
Club: Impala
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2018
Kenya Lionesses' Stellah Wafula. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Christabel Lindo
Position: Hooker
Club: Impala
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2018
Kenya Lionesses' Christabel Lindo. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Leah Wambui
Position: Inside forward
Club: Homeboyz
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2018
Kenya Lionesses' Leah Wambui. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Vivian Akumu
Position: scrumhalf
Club: Top Fry Nakuru
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2019
Kenya Lionesses' Vivian Akumu. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Sarah Oluche
Position: flyhalf
Club: Mwamba
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2018
Kenya Lionesses' Sarah Oluche. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Judith Auma
Position: Scrumhalf
Club: Homeboyz
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2017
Kenya Lionesses' Judith Auma. [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Sinaida Aura
Position: Winger
Club: Northern Suburbs
Olympic appearance: None
National Team Debut: 2015
Sinaida Aura [Courtesy-KRU]
Name: Diana Awino
Position: Winger
Club: Impala
Olympic appearance: None
Kenya Lionesses Diana Awino.[Courtesy-KRU]
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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