Kenya Lionesses' Grace Odhiambo set for Japan move

The Kenya Rugby Union has confirmed that Kenya Lionesses playmaker Grace Adhiambo is set to leave the team following a six-month contract with Japanese Club Nagato Blue Angels.

Odhiambo becomes the second Lionesses to play in Japan after Janet Okello who joined Japanese side MIE Pearls Women’s Rugby Football Club in March 2022. She will also be the second Kenyan to play professional rugby in Japan.

Expressing her gratitude for that major opportunity, Odhiambo said that the golden chance will be instrumental in her career as a professional athlete, and she was aiming at further deepening her skills in the game.

“I have always been aiming to build my career as a professional athlete and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to deepening my career and skills as a rugby player.”

She also hopes to learn a thing or two from the Japanese side.

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“I am just happy for this opportunity because it is something that I really wished I could get and more by playing professional rugby. This is a chance for me to gain more skills in my rugby career and also to gain a lot from their end too.”

Adhiambo will be instrumental in the club’s local sevens campaign which kicks off on February 11 till July.

She was also awarded the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month for November 2022, defeating names like Sharon Lokedi, Evans Chebet, tennis star Angela Okutoyi, KCB playmaker Davis Chenge, and rally driver Karan Patel.

She was crucial in Kenya Lionesses’ Pool B wins in the Rugby Africa stage matches played in Uganda last year.