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Sports CS sought to encourage the players with Kenya's core status at stake
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has assured Kenya Sevens of the government’s support as they head into Singapore 7s this weekend.
Kenya faces fourth-placed France and the USA, ninth on the table, on Saturday morning before a final group meeting with Uruguay in the afternoon and must secure at least a fifth-place finish to increase their chances of avoiding relegation.
Shujaa head into the ninth leg placed 13th on the table on 30 points, 10 behind Spain, who occupy the final cut-off place in 11th position, while Uruguay are 12th on 39 points.
These are the two teams that Kenya will seek to overhaul in Singapore and the penultimate round in Toulouse to retain their core status that has stood since 2004.
Those placed between 12th and 14th positions will enter a four-team relegation play-off together with the Challenger Series 2023 winners at the eleventh and final round of the Series in London.
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14:00 - 07.04.2023
Kenya 7s World Rugby Sevens Series: What teetering Shujaa need to avoid relegation
Nostalgia sets in as poor Kenya return to a venue with great memories.
Aware of the task that faces Damian McGrath’s men, Namwamba sought to encourage them to see what is at stake for the country and region.
“We are cheering you because rugby seven is a national pride, a national brand,” said Namwamba. “This is something that brands this country to levels that we cannot even quantify in financial terms. For you to even be out there, to don our national colours and to play for Kenya is an honour for you and a big honour for this country.
“You know that Kenya is the only black African country in the World Rugby Sevens Series. The position we occupy and who we are geopolitically on the African continent and our region is something that should inspire you to know that Kenya holds a very special place in the series.
“The risk of losing our premium position is something we must guard against at all costs. Fortunately, you are going head-to-head with some of these guys and when someone is ahead of you, you have no choice but to beat the guy.
“We will be cheering you and we will be waiting for you here. I want you to meet the President when you come back because I have asked him to stay up and cheer you as you play in the series.”
Kenya will need at least 25 points from the next two legs to be sure of overtaking both Spain and Uruguay, a tall order given it would mean collecting 13 in each of the rounds, something they have not done this season.
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