Rugby Africa boss Mensah backs Kenya to become a rugby powerhouse

Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah Thursday said Kenya has what it takes to join the top echelons of the sport as he backed the east African nation to host the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event in the near future.

Mensah was speaking during a media briefing ahead of the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s, set for this weekend at the RFUEA Grounds where Kenyan lasses Lionesses will be keen to shine on home soil.

The former president of Ghana’s Asante Kotoko Football Club said Kenya was primed for the monumental step if it rides on the passion for rugby from Kenyans, proven organizational capacity and growing sports infrastructure as well as nurturing the talents of players at the age-grade level.

“There are things that Kenya needs to do to become one of the greatest in the world. Because we see Kenya in Australia, in Canada, in London, and the support they get, not from Kenyans, but from other nationalities waving Kenyan flags. For me, the greatness of Kenya is from rugby, not from football. So, Honourable (CS Mvurya), I request that we do something about the legacy debt.”

“Honourable, I give you my word, if we can wipe it off, I will make sure that the HSBC event comes here to Kenya,” he said.

South Africa's capital Cape Town is currently the only African city to stage the HSBC event but Mensah believes Nairobi is poised to join the queue thanks to the Shujaa’s consistency in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Lionesses’ dominance in regional competitions.

Ahead of the Africa Women’s Sevens Cup at the RFUEA Grounds, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya urged Kenyans to turn up in large numbers to support Lionesses as they seek to reclaim the continental glory on home soil.

“All Kenyans should therefore come in their large numbers. Because when the Lioness team is playing, they represent the 55 million of us. And therefore, those two days will be very, very great. I have been informed that it's going to be very thrilling.

“We also expect that there will be12 countries here participating. And therefore, this is going to be an international event. We want to thank our sponsors for standing with the team.”

He added: “And that is why His Excellency the President initiated a legacy project. The Talanta City Stadium which is in its final stages of completion is a football and rugby stadium. So, when you come here next year, we will not be playing here. We will have a brand new stadium, a 60,000 seater. In fact, now we will be mobilising people to fill the stadium.”

On her side, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairperson Harriet Okatch said hosting the premier championships reaffirms Rugby Africa’s confidence in Kenya as a rugby hub.

“Mine is just to welcome all the Kenyans who are able to come to RFUEA grounds on 15th and 16th of November to come and cheer the Lionesses as they keep the Rugby Africa Cup at home,” she said.

The Lionesses have been drawn in Pool B alongside Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, where they will look to kick off their campaign on a strong note.