African teams came together to prepare the qualified teams for the Olympic Games and Olympic Repechage, with friendly tournaments and shared preparation camps.
With the Tokyo Olympics rugby sevens competition underway from today until 31st July at the Tokyo Stadium, Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is fully supporting and wishing well the South African and Kenyan teams who qualified for the Olympics.
South Africa, bronze medallists in Rio, and USA are in Pool
C having both achieved direct Olympic qualification by finishing in the top
four of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2019, where the USA Eagles finished
runners-up after reaching the medal podium in seven of the 10 Series rounds.
Joining them are Kenya, who qualified in 2019 courtesy of
their first Rugby Africa men’s sevens title since 2015, and Olympic debutants
Ireland, who secured the final spot thanks to a thrilling 28-19 victory over France
in the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco earlier this month.
The Lionesses from Kenya will compete in their second
Olympic Games after finishing runners-up to South Africa in the Rugby Africa
Women's Sevens Championship in Monastir, Tunisia last year.
Speaking about the three African teams competing, President
of Rugby Africa, Khaled Babbou, emphasised Rugby Africa’s commitment to
delivering teams from their preparation games, all the way to international
fixtures such as the Olympic Games.
“Through the leadership of Rugby Africa, African teams came
together to prepare the qualified teams for the Olympic Games and Olympic
Repechage, with friendly tournaments and shared preparation camps. Despite
COVID-19, teams stood in solidarity and shared experiences and learnings from
one another. We wish all three teams well in their battles on field and we will
be encouraging and supporting them from the sidelines.”
Excited about the Lionesses, Rugby Women’s Advisory
Committee President, Paula Lanco, said that the exceptionally hard work shown
by the Kenyan women’s team was remarkable and their place in the Olympics was
well deserved.
“The team has worked exceptionally hard to achieve a high
level of fitness and endurance. They learnt from their successes and lessons of
the past and it held them in good stead. They certainly reflect the vision of
Kenyan rugby, and we wish them well at the Tokyo Olympics.”
Kenya women’s rugby sevens captain Philadelphia Olando said
that the team were in prime physical and mental condition for Tokyo 2020.
“We have every intention of flying the flag of Kenya high
and putting Africa on the world map. We
are absolutely boosted thanks to coach Felix Oloo who created a fitness plan
for every member of the squad, while no team training was allowed during
lockdown. While the Olympics may have been postponed in 2020, it only gave us
more time to prepare for the tournament.”
Andrew Amonde who will captain the Kenya Men’s Sevens
national team -Shujaa - said that he was happy to have a team with experienced
and fit players.
“It is such a privilege to have the likes of South Africa
and the Lionesses as part of this journey to the Olympics. We as a team are
ready to support our African brothers and sisters and encourage each other
during our time in Tokyo. The Shujaas are ready to set the standard of African
rugby.”
South African Rugby Sevens coach, Neil Powell, said they are
excited to be flying not only the South African, but African flag as well.
“This is the biggest stage in the biggest sporting event you can find, so to be
able to represent our continent, alongside Kenya, will be massive for us. The
two of us will both be gunning for that gold medal no doubt. We feel we have
unfinished business after our bronze medal in Rio, while Kenya has shown their
ability to beat anyone on many occasions before. As luck would have it, we are
in the same pool, but that will motivate both squads. The USA and Ireland are
standing in the way of both African teams making the top eight, so we have our
fate in our hands.”
Kenyan Rugby union was thrilled that they had both their men
and women representing the country in Asia.
“Our teams have shown resilience and shown the world that
they are both forces to be reckoned with. We are pleased to represent Africa
with both our teams carrying the hopes of Kenyans and Africans alike.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment