Siketa itching for global success after fruitful hunt with Chipu

Kenya U20 national rugby team, Chipu, is gearing up for the World Rugby U20 Trophy slated for July 2024, and a key player to watch is their flyhalf Jackson Siketa.

Siketa is hungry for more success after his impressive performance at the 2024 Barthes Trophy in Zimbabwe where Chipu emerged as the champions.

This was not his first taste of victory. The youngster is an alumnus of the western region rugby powerhouse Koyonzo High School who are the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) rugby 7s defending champions.

He was instrumental in propelling the team to retain their Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) rugby 7s title.

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Their impressive performance saw them proceed to the East African stage where they emerged as the winners after defeating Vihiga High School 21-0.

Siketa bagged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at both the national and East African stage.

Speaking about his experience at the Barthes Trophy, Siketa was glad to be part of the team that edged arch-rivals Zimbabwe at their home ground.

"The experience was amazing. We did our best and we expected to win. There was no secret. We just decided to give our best," he told Mozzart Sport.

While the entire tournament was a success, Siketa acknowledged a particularly challenging match against Namibia tested them. They, however, defied all odds to defeat them 38-34.

"The match against Namibia challenged us. Their forwards, set pieces, and scrums. It was generally tough," he offered.

Regardless, the youngster beamed with pride as his first tournament with the national team was a resounding success.

"It was my first time playing for Kenya and we won it. I was very happy," he averred.

In July, Chipu will fly to Scotland for the World Rugby U20 Trophy. Despite the challenge that lay ahead, Siketa is confident that they would deliver.

"We are ready to play. As a rugby player, you must always be ready. We will do our best to win the World Rugby U20 Trophy," he revealed.

The budding player is not shy about his aspirations. He credited his coach, Oscar Okaron, for nurturing his talent and expressed a dual ambition to play for the senior national team and also France in the future.

On his side, Okaron who is the Director of Rugby at Koyonzo described Siketa as a determined and passionate player with a bright future ahead. He tipped him to achieve great things in the coming years.

"He is a great player. I always count on him to push the team to success. He is coachable. I trained him during the better part of his rugby career in high school and I am confident that he will make the national team," Okaron concluded.