Veteran Andrew Amonde is back
Veteran Andrew Amonde will captain Kenya 7s squad to the Emirates Dubai 7s invitational set for March 26-April 11, a tournament head coach Innocent Simiyu wants to use to continue gauging the players match fitness.
Simiyu named the squad yesterday at the Kasarani Stadium where the squad has been camping for their high performance training for the last two weeks courtesy of National Olympic Committee Kenya (Nock).
The organisers of the Emirates Dubai 7s will host the Emirates Invitational 7s a competitive training camp including two tournament weekends for some of the best rugby sevens teams in the world in supporting the teams for their preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.
The Emirates Invitational 7s will see fourteen international rugby teams arrive in Dubai on March 26th, moving into bio-bubbles across the Emirate to participate in the Olympic preparation event with all training and competition at the home of the Emirates Dubai 7s, The Sevens Stadium.
Simiyu says the team been able to rectify their weakness from Madrid sevens last month which was the teams starting points promising improved performance in Dubai.
“I have to say it feels good to be back after such a difficult one year mostly of no activity. In Madrid, our main weaknesses were with the set pieces as well in defense.
We have been able to put more emphasis on. The tournament is important to the team because we want to get more match fitness for the boys before Tokyo Olympics,” said Simiyu.
Simiyu added that high performance camp has also been timely for the team coming from a season where sports was halted due to the Covid-19-19 pandemic.
“We really appreciate the efforts by the government through the ministry of sports, Nock for making the high performance training camp possible.
We also want to thank the sports fund for ensure we shall be able to travel to Dubai. All those efforts are geared towards uplifting the team,” said Simiyu.
In Dubai, the teams will train and play all rugby at The Sevens Stadium behind closed doors, with spectators not allowed in attendance. The tournaments will take place on April 2nd/3rd and April 8th/9th.
