• The former Mean Machine player, who took charge on March 31, 2023, unopposed, said the resurgence of Shujaa on the international stage has been timely for the new administration.
•He observed that plans are underway to have a professional Super Series rugby event in 2025 in a bid to prepare for the Simbas international matches.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Alexander Mutai believes there are a lot of positives to take home after his first year in office.
The former Mean Machine player, who took charge on March 31, 2023, unopposed, said the resurgence of Shujaa on the international stage has been timely for the new administration.
“Shujaa had just been relegated and morale was low. So we opted to change the technical bench and bring in younger players who are hungry and the results are there for all to see.
“We qualified for the Olympics for the third time in a row and we are looking at gaining promotion to the World Seven Series in June,” said Mutai.
Kevin Wambua’s charges also bagged the opening leg of the Challenger Sevens Series in Dubai in January, beating Chile 12 -5 to further cement their status as one of the favourites to gain promotion to the top tier in June.
He also commended the Lionesses for their upward trajectory which saw them emerge as runners-up in the Challenger Seven Series in January as well as finishing second in the Africa Sevens-cum-Olympic qualifier to South Africa in Tunisia.
“As part of my manifesto, we are going big with women’s rugby like never before.
“Our 15s team played in the WXV 3 tournament in Dubai and the results were encouraging. We need to build on that with our local league and I believe the sky is the limit for the girls,” noted Mutai.
After a one-year hiatus, the popular Safari Sevens tournament returned and Mutai was categorical that it could return to the good old days when thousands thronged the event.
“Yes, we are headed there. Last year, we had close to 8000 fans and this year we are looking at inviting some of the big teams for the tournament and very shortly, we will announce the date,” opined Mutai
One of Mutai’s campaign pledges was sponsorships and partnerships and the quantity surveyor said with betting firm Sportpesa, Tusker and new sponsors Jamii Telkom in the fold, he was confident corporates would come back on board this year.
“A good number of sponsors had pulled out in the last 10 years due to governance issues from the previous administrations. We have cleaned up and integrity remains key for the new administration.”
He observed that plans are underway to have a professional Super Series rugby event in 2025 in a bid to prepare for the Simbas international matches.
“For this year, the Super series will be back and it will be very competitive. For starters, Kabras and KCB and the top teams will be put in different franchises to make the series very competitive,” remarked Mutai.
The alumni of Strathmore School, who served as director and vice chair in previous roles at the union, said they have good relations with the government.
“The Ministry of Sports has been one of our biggest partners and they are the reason we hosted the Barthez Cup last year and the Junior World Rugby Trophy."
He said they are in talks with sponsors to support the Kenya Cup as well as Championship and Nationwide leagues for the 2024 -2025 season.