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.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Kenya going for Gold in Rio

Rugby

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Aug 05, 2016

When the 2016 Rio Olympic Games start on August 6 at Deodoro Stadium in Deodoro Olympic Park, all eyes will be on the Kenya Sevens men’s rugby team.

The team had an impressive 2015/16 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series season and with the game returning to the Olympics after 92 years, Kenyan rugby fans will be expecting nothing short of a medal from the champions of the Singapore Sevens.

The road to Rio was not that rosy for the African champions, who had to wait for Dennis Ombachi’s last minute try to oust Zimbabwe (21-19) in the African regional qualifier in Johannesburg and book a ticket to Rio.

Having been drawn in a tough Group C against seasoned New Zealand, Great Britain and Japan, Kenya is braced for explosive matches at the at Deodoro Stadium.

But with a good mixture of experienced and young, talented players at his disposal, head coach Benjamin Ayimba is determined to re-write history on the global scene.

Keep Reading

“We are in a tough pool which has teams we played against last season. Of course the expectations are high, but no team is going to be a pushover. We are all determined to bring home the gold medal,” Ayimba said.

“Our immediate target is to make it past the preliminaries then the rest will take care of itself. We ended the season on a high note and I hope the boys will continue with the same momentum and write another historic chapter.”

But for Humphrey Kayange, this is the moment has been longing for after playing a key role in the Olympics bid for Sevens Rugby.

“It’s a few years down the line now but it was a really exciting time for rugby to get back into the Olympics,” Kayange told the World Rugby website.

“My part was to try and represent the smaller nations and show what it would mean to countries to compete on the world stage and win a medal.”

And just like head coach Ayimba, deputy captain Collins Injera (Kayange’s younger brother), who is also the all-time top try scorer is going for nothing short of a podium finish.

“Gold hunt is our main reason of going to Rio. Though excited, there is a little bit of nervousness about the Olympics but we just want to go there, give a good show and come back with a medal,” Injera said.

[email protected]