Shujaa rewarded 5.7 million token for regaining promotion back to the World Series
5th June 2024
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba presented the team with the cheque on Wednesday.
- Shujaa were relegated from the World Rugby Sevens Series in May 2023.
- They managed to get immediate promotion at their first time of asking.
- Vincent Onyala. Chrisant Ojwang. John Okoth. George Ooro and Kevin Wekesa scored the important tries over Germany.
The men’s national rugby 7s side, Shujaa, have seen their triumphant
return to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series end up with a bumper 5.7 million
bonus as a token of appreciation from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative
Economy & Sports.
In a dinner organized by the government on Wednesday evening, Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba presented the team with the cheque in appreciation of their hard work.
Shujaa, who had lost its core status for the first time in 19 years back in May 2023, managed to earn promotion back to the Series at the very first time of asking after beating Germany 33-15 in the crunch promotion/relegation playoff match in the 2024 Grand Final tournament held in Madrid, Spain.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over 368 Million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
The team was treated to a grand reception on Tuesday where they were also taken across a victory parade around various parts in Nairobi to celebrate the special occasion before the dinner that followed where the cheque was issued.
“The performance of this team is not an accident, it is the result of an incredible effort, sacrifices and investment made from multiple angles and corners.
For the feat that you accomplished, we are presenting you with a reward of 5.7 million shillings as a token of appreciation for the feat you achieved,” Namwamba remarked during the event.
ALSO READ: Shujaa head coach Wambua vows to take inspiration after comparisons with legendary Ayimba
Apart from gaining promotion, the Kevin Wambua-coached side also qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics after stunning African heavyweights South Africa in the Rugby Africa 7s Cup final, won the 2023 Safari 7s title before clinching their ticket back to the Series in what was Wambua’s first year at the helm.
In the men’s overall HSBC SVNS Play-Offs, Samoa and Canada lost their places on the HSBC SVNS series as the USA and Spain retained their own with victories.
Kenya and Uruguay will join them after successfully gaining promotion from the Challenger Series with wins over Germany and Chile respectively.