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Kenya Rugby Union is standing its ground over the contracts offered to Shujaa players as a number of senior players have boycotted training demanding for better terms ahead of the Dubai leg.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is ready to proceed with youngsters in the 2024-25 World Rugby Sevens Series if the senior players will not accept the new contracts handed to them.
KRU and a number of Shujaa stars, who include co-captains Vincent Onyala and Tony Omondi, are locked in a standoff after the players rejected the two-year contracts handed to them, insisting for better perks, ahead of their return to the top flight, where the first leg is scheduled to take place in Dubai from November 30.
This has left coach Kevin Wambua with no option but to bring in a number of youngsters in camp as they prepare for the Dubai leg with the seniors opting to stay away as they push for better terms.
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Paarwater was far from pleased with his boys' performances despite their narrow 27-25 win over Uganda in the Elgon Cup first leg clash that took place in Nairobi.
However, KRU chairman Sasha Mutai insists the contract terms will not change, as it is what the union can afford at the moment, stating that the players must take it or leave it as Kenya is blessed with a lot of rugby talent.
“Nearly all, 99 per cent, have accepted the contracts,” Mutai told Pulse Sports, regarding the contract standoff.
“We have depth and talent and they are all hungry. I have told the players it is up to them. It is in the hands of the players and things are going to get better because sponsors are coming back.”
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Safari Sevens: Patrick Odongo on song as Shujaa torch Shogun to reclaim title
The Kenya Shujaa saw off Shogun rugby in a fierce contest to retain their Safari Sevens title.
Mutai cited the example of 2023 when a Shujaa team that had suffered relegation went on to win the Africa Sevens to seal an Olympics ticket with a host of new players in the squad.
“Last year, we lost six experienced players but we still won the Africa Sevens with six rookies. We are also trying to bring in discipline. We have to pull in one direction both the players, technical bench and management," he added.
“We want to win the Sevens World Cup by 2026 and we believe it is possible because we reached the semi-final in 2009 and 2013 so we have to be prepared.”
According to The Star, KRU has proposed a monthly salary of Ksh150,000 to Tier One players, Kh127,000 to Tier Two and Sh50,000 for new entrants, which will run until 2026, but the players are demanding between Ksh200,000 and Ksh300,000 for Tier One, leading to the standoff.
Shujaa earned promotion back to the top flight this year and are in a tough Pool A with France, South Africa and Australia for the season-opening leg in Dubai.
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