T. NashipaeQatar set to feature in Safari 7s 2023 edition
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 28.10.23. | 12:50
The tournament that attracts teams from around the world is returning after a two-year hiatus since the last edition was held in 2021
A team from Qatar is among the twelve teams that have been marked present for this year’s Safari 7s scheduled for November 17-19 at the RFUEA Grounds.
Safari Sevens is an annual rugby 7s tournament held in Nairobi. The tournament is open to international representative sides, professional and amateur clubs, invitational teams, and university and school teams.
The much-anticipated tournament will also be graced by an invitational trio from the United Kingdom, Tropic 7s, Apache, and the Red Wailers.
Other teams that have confirmed participation include Kenya 7s national team; Shujaa, East African neighbors Uganda, 2023 National 7s Circuit winners KCB Rugby, Kenya Morans, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Samurai, and Germany.
The women’s category is even more competitive; with two Kenya Lionesses’ teams set to feature. TuKs Women, Tropic 7s, and Uganda Lady Cranes will also give the fans a run for their money.
The tournament that attracts teams from around the world is returning after a two-year hiatus since the last edition was held in 2021.
It returns at a time when the Kenya Rugby Union is enjoying a newly elected board, as well as the Kenya 7s national team; Shujaa earning a direct spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Shujaa defeated South Africa 17-12 in the finals of the Africa Men's 7s tournament that was played in Harare, Zimbabwe. All these unfoldings are expected to wow the fans.
The Safari 7s was played every year at the RFUEA Grounds from its inception in 1996 until 2010 before moving to the Nyayo National Stadium for the 2011 and 2012 editions. It would shift to the Moi International Sports Center between 2013 and 2016 and move back to the RFUEA Ground for the 2018 and 2019 editions after not being played in 2017. It was then played at the traditional RFUEA Grounds in October 2021.
Kenya flew high in the 2021 edition, with Shujaa edging Germany 12-5 to win gold. Morans claimed third place following a 12-5 victory over the Red Wailers. In the women's category, Kenya Lionesses impressed by humbling arch-rivals Uganda Lady Cranes 26-0 to emerge winners.
