Preps for HSBC SVNS 2 in top gear, says KRU boss Okatch

Speaking on the state of readiness ahead of the global rugby sevens event, Okatch said work is progressing smoothly across several key areas, assuring fans and stakeholders that the tournament will be delivered as planned.

“In terms of preparation, we are at 80 per cent. Work is ongoing on the pitch, teams, training camps and with the committees in place. So yes, we are at 80 per cent,” Okatch said.

She noted that the final phase of preparations is focused on completing pitch works, finalising team logistics, fine-tuning training camps and strengthening coordination through the various organising committees already in place to oversee different aspects of the tournament.

The HSBC SVNS 2 will bring together some of the world’s top rugby sevens nations, offering Kenyan fans a rare opportunity to watch elite international rugby on home soil. The tournament also comes at a crucial time for Shujaa, Kenya’s national men’s sevens team, as they continue their push to reclaim their place among the global elite.

Beyond the on-field action, the event is expected to boost sports tourism, hospitality and local businesses, while further enhancing Kenya’s reputation as a capable host of major international sporting events.

With less than a month to go, KRU officials remain confident that the remaining 20 per cent of preparations will be completed in good time, setting the stage for a memorable rugby weekend when the HSBC SVNS 2 lands in Kenya this February.

Opportunity to rebuild

The HSBC SVNS 2 forms part of World Rugby’s revamped global sevens structure, serving as a highly competitive second-tier circuit that offers teams a pathway back into the top-tier HSBC SVNS series.

Kenya earned their place in the competition following their relegation from the main series, with the tournament presenting Shujaa an opportunity to rebuild, compete against strong international opposition and fight for promotion back to the elite level.