All Shujaa needs is to put their act together and refocus

Kenyan sports enthusiasts are inconsolable following Shujaa's relegation from the World Rugby 7s Series on Sunday. 

Damian McGrath's charges were shockingly knocked out of the core series of the premier global showpiece after crashing 12-7 to Canada in the playoffs staged at Twickenham Stadium in London. 

It is noteworthy that the national rugby Sevens team had demolished the Canadians 24-19 in the opening match at the London 7s. The development sadly marks the end of Shujaa's 20-year stint in the World Seven Series. 

Before the debacle, Shujaa were one of the 15 "core teams" of the World Series, with a guaranteed place in all 10 events each season. 

Kenya recorded their first tournament win in the World Rugby Sevens Series after beating Fiji at the 2016 Singapore Sevens and twice stormed the World Cup semifinals in 2009 and in 2013.

Without a doubt, Shujaa have been among the most successful sporting teams flying Kenya's flag. They have won the men's Team of the Year category six times at the Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, and 2016.

They were the Main Cup winners at the 2016 Singapore Sevens and Main Cup finalists at the 2009 Adelaide Sevens. 

Shujaa have competed in the World Series every year since the competition's inception in 1999. Their best season came during the 2012–13 season when they wrapped up fifth in the Series.  

The Kenyans gave such outstanding performances that Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange were both nominated for the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award in 2009, but Ollie Phillips of England ultimately won.

In January, Injera was honoured during the Coral Sevens by being inducted into the Fiji Rugby Hall of Fame. Injera, who ranked second in the globe and first in the nation for sevens try scoring, joined rugby greats Lote Tuqiri and David Campese of Australia, Waisale Serevi of Fiji, Jonah Lomu, Viliame Satala of Fiji, Ben Golings of England, and Karl Tenana of New Zealand in the hall of fame.

He added another feather in his cap with a second induction at the Melrose Hall of Fame on April 6. The Kenyan lads have now shifted their focus to the African Sevens in Zimbabwe where they will hammer away for a slot in the Paris 2024 Olympics as well as the Challenger series set for April next year.

It's encouraging that the Kenya Rugby Union have responded to the nation's outrage at the team's declining standards. 

President Alexander "Sasha" Mutai's new KRU administration has tried to reassure Kenyans that a revitalised Shujaa will soon restore its role as a worldwide ruby superpower. 

The union stated that the next six weeks will mark the beginning of Shujaa recovering their position in the 7s series through the arduous work of the Sasha Mutai-led squad.

The KRU stated on its website that they are taking major steps to regain Shujaa's position in the World Rugby Sevens Series by 2024.

The union also said Shujaa will accept the invitation to compete in the New York City Sevens event on July 15 together with other elite rugby sevens teams from around the world.

Should Shujaa defeat South Africa Blitzboks and win the Africa Cup on September 16–17 in Zimbabwe, they will be eligible to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

The union declared that it is prepared to support the team's participation and success in the competition.

KRU confirmed that both Morans and Shujaa — the second national sevens squad — will be made ready for high-level showpieces by sending them to other Satellite Sevens Rugby competitions across the world.

By winning the Challenger Series the following year, Shujaa will be guaranteed promotion back to the World Series, and KRU is committed to supporting the squad in reaching that goal.

KRU has also pleaded with the government and its present financial partners for extra money.