Africa-Press – Kenya. Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah has revealed that talks are underway to explore the possibility of Kenya hosting a leg of the HSBC Sevens Series.
Speaking at the launch of the Africa Cup Sevens tournament at the RFUEA Grounds, alongside Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Mensah said discussions with World Rugby are already in progress.
Mensha confirmed that a member of the World Rugby Board will visit the country over the weekend to meet government officials.
“As I return to the World Rugby executive board after my discussions and visit, we hope to finalise agreements that will truly put this great nation on the global map,” said Mensah.
He added that Kenya has the passion, talent and international support to become one of the world’s great rugby nations. “Kenya can achieve global recognition through rugby, not football,” he said.
In September, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) submitted a bid to host one of the Division Two tournaments in 2026, with Nyayo Stadium proposed as the venue. The union is still awaiting final approval from World Rugby.
Kenya has made similar efforts before. In 2013, KRU bid to host a leg of the World Sevens Series, though the plan did not materialise.
However, the country has successfully hosted major international events in recent years, including the 2023 World Rugby Under-20 Trophy, which featured top teams such as Scotland, Spain and Samoa.
Between 2019 and 2023, Kenya also hosted the Africa Under-20 Rugby Championship, attracting continental heavyweights Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Mensah emphasised the importance of cooperation between the government, federations and stakeholders to secure major tournaments.
“Sport is big business. True growth comes when legislators, regulators, game managers, sponsors and government work together. Kenya’s talent deserves investment and the chance to host Africa’s biggest tournaments,” he said.
The Rugby Africa chief also expressed confidence in the Kenya Rugby Union’s leadership despite earlier internal wrangles.
“These are the people we trust and work with, and together we are committed to supporting the growth of Kenyan rugby,” he concluded.
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