Kenya Rugby Union will contract 18 players for the Africa Sevens-cum-Olympic qualifiers and Challenger Series, chairman Alexander Mutai has said.
Mutai said the contracts will be signed in the next couple of weeks as Shujaa prepare for the African championship set for Harare, Zimbabwe, in September.
“We want to contract just 18 players as opposed to last year when we had 24. We have reduced the number since we have been relegated from the World Sevens Series," said Mutai.
Mutai added that the newly reconstituted bench began scouting at the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru over the weekend and will also attend the next three legs — Christie Sevens in Nairobi, Tisap in Eldoret, and Kabeberi Sevens in Nairobi.
“In terms of numbers, we have a lean squad of 15 players in training and we are requesting Kenya Clubs to release called-up players. Time is not on our side since we have just over a month to prepare the players for the Olympic qualifiers,” added Mutai.
Meanwhile, Mutai has revealed that the Safari Sevens tournament will be held between November 17 and 19 at a yet-to-be-determined venue.
He added that they intend to invite some of the top teams expected at the Challenger Series including Uruguay, Germany and Belgium.
Kenya will also play in a Challenger Series tournament in Asia in January, Mutai revealed.
“We have not been given the date by World Rugby but we are looking at playing there and at another tournament before the main Challenger Series in April (2024)," said Mutai.
He expressed confidence in the new bench, adding that they have what it takes to take Kenya to Paris next year for the Olympic Games.
