Plans are underway to construct a high-performance rugby training facility in the country, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has announced.
Speaking on Tuesday when he hosted the victorious Kenya Sevens to breakfast in Nairobi, Ababu he said the high-performance centre should cater for national rugby teams.
“I had the privilege a couple of years ago of traveling to Stellenbosch, South Africa where the Blitzbokke train. We need to replicate that in the country with all the good facilities — gym, swimming pool, residential houses and training grounds to cater for our national teams. It's doable,” said Namwamba.
To that effect, the Ministry has allocated 50 acres of land at Kasarani to be the new home of rugby.
"The land at Kasarani is available and we hope the federation can move there in good time to facilitate the growth of the sport in all our national teams,” he added.
Namwamba said the country has abundant talent, from clubs to the school ecosystem, and should, therefore be punching above their weight in the near future.
“I know we have punched above our weight for the longest time but I want to advise the chairman, Sasha Mutai, that we need to go deeper and tap the talent by putting the relevant structures in place," added Namwamba.
He added he will be visiting East Africa School Sevens champions Koyonzo to start a partnership with the school and how they can feed the national teams alongside other schools.
“Very soon Mutai and I will be going to Koyonzo. The talent in the sport is immense and we want see what we can do as part of a long-term project with the school," he said.
The CS lauded Shujaa's achievement and hoped it was the start of a journey that would culminate in the side regaining their core status on the World rugby Series as well as fighting for the gold medal in Paris next year.
"I am encouraged and delighted with the performance of the team. We are truly back as the best team on the continent and the only way is up. I would love to congratulate the players and the union for their sterling performance in qualifying for the Olympics,” added Namwamba.
The CS hoped that Kenya Lionesses would follow Shujaa and Malika Strikers in qualifying for Paris when they battle at the continental qualifiers in Tunisia next month.
