Shujaa land in Miramas camp ahead of Paris Olympics participation

The Kenya men’s rugby sevens team - Shujaa - have landed in the French city of Miramas, where they will hold their high performance training camp in readiness for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The team, which was flagged of in Nairobi by NOC-Kenya President Paul Tergat and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on Monday, becomes the first team to jet out to France, and will be followed by the women’s national volleyball side Malkia Strikers in two-days time.

Shujaa, led by head coach Kelvin Wambua, will be among the first Kenyan teams to participate in the Olympic Games, as their matches kickoff on Wednesday 24 July.

Placed in Pool B, Kenya will play Argentina and Australia on the opening day at the Stade de France, before coming up against Samoa on Day 2 - Thursday 25 July.

The placement matches and quarterfinals will later on take place in the afternoon, with the semifinals and gold medal matches scheduled for Saturday 27 July.

Shujaa made back-to-back trips to the Summer Games after seeing off South Africa 17-12 in the final of the Africa Men’s 7s final played on Sunday 17 September in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Leading the team that has a thrilling mix of experience and fresh talent, will be co-captain Vincent Onyala and Herman Humwa, who are all making their second participation in the Games.

Kenya Sevens name squad for Paris Olympics with blend of experience and rookies

Coach Wambua speaking about what the experience of the pair could do to the group on Monday told Nation Sport: “I want them to instill belief in the team and show them that it is just how we manage and handle ourselves. That our attitude when we step on the pitch is what will determine our fate.”

Miramas will not be new for the group however, as they engaged French teams there in the buildup to the HSBC World Rugby Series playoffs in Madrid, Spain in May.

Lionesses, Shujaa check in at Miramas, to face French teams as separate preparations hot up