RUGBY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TURN UP TO WELCOME BACK KENYAN HEROES
Heroic Kenya Sevens lads return to grand reception after Singapore achievement
The victorious Kenya Sevens team returned from Singapore to a heroic home reception.
Fresh from winning the HSBC World Sevens Series leg the boys were met by Sports Cabinet secretary Hassan Wario, Nairobi senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko and nominated member of parliament Johson Sakaja amongst other government dignitaries at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. They were songs and dance at the busy airport with most activities coming to standstill as the team captain Andrew Amonde hoisted the trophy to the crowd as they were ushered into the tarmac
There were friends and family waiting at the airport. Some had patiently waited from 12 noon before the Qatar Airways flight carrying the players touched down at 2pm.
They then travelled in limousines with outriders from the Sonko team to a colourful reception at Ole Sereni hotel.
Kenya Airways Chief executive officer Mbuvi Ngunze said each player in the team will receive Sh100,000 for winning the tournament as part of the bonus scheme and he congratulated the team for their superb effort in beating Fiji in the final.
“You have done Kenya proud by winning the first evertournament on the circuit. Well done. We wish to see more of the same in years to come,” added Ngunze.
Wario said the players will be hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House this afternoonwhere they willbe awarded accordingly.
Wario said the ministry will fork out Sh2m to the union to manage debts incurred in the recent past.
“As a ministry we are forking out Sh2m to tidy up on debts incurred in the recent past,” Wario said.
Sonko said each player in the team will get a cash reward of Sh100,000 from him as gratitude for winning the trophy.
Kenya Rugby Union chairman Richard Omwela praised the effort of the players and said having a local coach was the way to go.
“You have seen what (Benjamin) Ayimba has done. It shows our local coaches are best in handling national teams. Many people fought the (Ayimba) appointment but as a board we have been vindicated,” Omwela added.
Amonde said the goal for the remaining two legs was to be consistent and amass as many points as possible.
“Our targets don’t change. We will go and and try to get as many points as possible. I also want to thank Kenyan fans for supporting us through thick and thin for several years,” he added.
Coach Ayimba thanked the players for a job well done and said the team is gelling well ahead of the Rio Olympics.
“I’m delighted by the effort put in by the players, fans, union and sponsors and I am confident we can do it again,” Ayimba said.
Kenya won their maiden world series leg by beating champions Fiji 30-7 in Singapore on Sunday
The team takes a week’s break before resuming training for the Paris and London Legs next month.