World Rugby eyes Kenya as key player in Africa’s rugby future
Kenya and Portugal players receive the trophy for winning the tournament during the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Final Tournament at Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Krakow, Poland, on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Klaudia Radecka/NurPhoto) (Photo by Klaudia Radecka / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
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World Rugby Sevens is intensifying efforts to grow the sport in Kenya, aiming to establish the country as a key hub for rugby in Africa.
The federation is focused on building sustainable partnerships that expand participation, nurture talent, and strengthen the overall rugby ecosystem.
Head of World Rugby Sevens Event Planning and Delivery, Mark Honeybunn, highlighted the federation's commitment to a lasting collaboration with the Kenyan Rugby Union.
"We're working closely with the Kenyan Rugby Union to build a longterm partnership, and hopefully future events are on the horizon to host in Kenya. That’s good for rugby and it's good for building participation in the sport of rugby in Kenya," Honeybunn said during a press conference on readiness for the World Rugby 7s Division 2 Tourney to be held this weekend in Nairobi.
Honeybunn emphasized that this partnership is about more than just elite level competitions.
World Rugby is keen to support the development of grassroots rugby, create structured pathways for young players, and help coaches, referees, and administrators build the technical and organizational skills necessary for a thriving rugby culture.
The approach is designed to ensure that talent is identified early, developed systematically, and given opportunities to compete both nationally and internationally.
By investing in Kenya, World Rugby aims to position the country as a central player in Africa's rugby landscape.
The partnership is expected to provide guidance, resources, and expertise to strengthen local clubs, schools, and community programs.
Officials believe these long term initiatives will boost participation across all levels of the sport, foster sustainable growth, and create a strong foundation for Kenya to host more international rugby events in the future.
World Rugby's commitment signals a major step forward for Kenyan rugby, promising a framework that supports both players and the broader rugby community while raising the country’s profile on the continental and global stage.
With these strategic plans, Kenya is poised to become a key driver of rugby development in Africa.
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