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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Kenya Lionesses trip to UAE hangs in the balance

Rugby

By Clement Wekulo | Nov 27, 2019

The Kenya women’s rugby Sevens team, Lionesses risk missing out on next week’s Dubai invitational tournament because of financial constraints.

Lionesses were scheduled to use the three-day event as part of their preparations for next year’s(April) Hong Kong Sevens where teams will battle for core status in the Women’s World Sevens Series.

According to Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Director of Women’s Rugby Moses Ndale, the team’s trip to the United Arab Emirates now hangs in the balance because they are unable to raise Sh2.4 million needed for travel, Insurance, and accommodation.

All teams taking part in the invitational event cater for their own expenses as opposed to the core sides in the Series, whose costs are footed by the global rugby governing the body, World Rugby.

Ndale said they reached out to the Ministry of Sports to bail them out, but so far, no assistance has been forthcoming and the Felix Oloo-coached side might be forced to pull out of the tournament where they have been drawn alongside Japanese outfit Tokyo Phoenix, France 7s Development, Belsevens of Belgium and Aruka Queen Kumagaya (Japan).

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“The girls have been preparing since the Olympic qualifiers ended and it will be very unfair if they fail to participate in the tournament. Such high-profile tournaments are good for the team as we prepare for Hong Kong and Olympic Games. We don’t want to miss out on the good fixtures that the girls will be exposed to and I hope a solution is found on time,” Ndale told Standard Sport yesterday.

“The team is ready and they are hoping to play after investing a lot of hard work in training. I am hoping something positive will happen in the next few days so that the team can travel either on Sunday or Monday to honour the tournament,” added Ndale.

Meanwhile, the Kenya men’s second-string Sevens side, Morans, who were also scheduled to compete in the Dubai invitational event might also fail to travel for the showpiece due to the same reason - financial constraints.

KRU Chairman Oduor Gangla had previously said they are keen on exposing the developmental side to international tournaments, a move that will enhance their depth.