Amonde is new Team Kenya captain for Tokyo Olympics after Yego bailed out

Rugby 7s player, Andrew Amonde has officially been named as the Team Kenya captain ahead of the summer Olympic games that take place from July 23rd to August 8th in Tokyo, Japan.

Amonde, who is also the captain for the Kenya 7s team Shujaa, received the country’s flag from President Uhuru Kenyatta on behalf of Team Kenya as the qualified athletes were presented with the official team travel kit at an event hosted at Statehouse on Thursday.

Initially, it is understood that javelin star Julius Yego was expected to lead the country in the summer games but the 2016 Olympic Silver medalist renounced the captaincy citing an ‘unfavourable environment’ for him ahead of the Tokyo games.

Amonde, one of four survivors from the rugby squad that did duty at the Rio Olympics in 2016 where Kenya finished 11th overall, expressed his delight at being entrusted with the mandate of leading the country.

“It is a privilege and an honour to receive the flag on behalf of all the athletes who will represent our country Kenya at the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. Asanteni sana,” he tweeted.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Uhuru Kenyatta lauded Team Kenya for their continuous efforts to put Kenya on the map through their exploits on global sporting stages.

“Kenyan sports has always attracted the best talents in the country and our values of hard work and service are deeply entrenched in our athletes. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics is another opportunity for us to promote qualities that position us for success in the sporting world. For this reason, my government has and will continue to support you as you take part in this years’ Olympic games,” he said.

Ahead of the Tokyo Games, the national women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, are among the first group of the Olympic-bound teams that have already jetted out of the country for Kurume City in Japan where they will hold a training camp before joining the rest of Team Kenya at the athletes' village in Tokyo later in the month for the July 23 opening ceremony. Shujaa are expected to leave on Friday evening while Kenya Lionesses depart on Sunday.

Kenyans will be hoping the chosen athletes will add to the country’s 103-medal tally as the games kick off from the 23rd of July to the 8th of August.