George Ooro sends Kenya Sevens fans 'trust' message ahead of HSBC SVNS return
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 22.11.24. | 12:34
The young squad faces a significant challenge as many players will be making their debut on the HSBC SVNS Series
Strathmore Leos ace George Ooro has called on Kenya Sevens fans to trust and support the team as they gear up for the Dubai and Cape Town legs of the HSBC SVNS Series.
Dubai 7s is slated for Saturday 30 November to Sunday 1 December at the Sevens Stadium while Cape Town 7s is pencilled for Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 December in South Africa.
Ooro will captain the squad alongside talented scrumhalf Samuel Asati. The dynamic duo is stepping into leadership roles in the absence of seasoned captains Vincent Onyala and Tony Omondi, who have been sidelined due to contractual disputes.
The young squad faces a significant challenge as many players will be making their debut on the HSBC SVNS Series.
Some of them played for Kenya during the HSBC Challenger Series, propelling the team back to the global stage, and also represented Kenya during the Paris 2024 Olympics. They will be banking on that experience to excel.
Speaking during the naming of the squad, the self-proclaimed 'King' acknowledged the weight of responsibility but expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and determination.
“It is a privilege to lead this team to the Dubai and Cape Town legs. The preparations have been so well, and the boys are very ready for the tournament,” Ooro said.
His rallying cry comes at a time when Shujaa have faced criticism for the absence of experienced players, but he emphasized the importance of patience and unity.
“I urge people to trust the team and encourage them. I always tell the boys that there is no one coming to help us. It is up to us to be mature enough and take that task to represent the nation,” he continued.
Kenya’s first game in Dubai will be against France, a tough opener in a pool that also includes South Africa and Australia. Ooro stressed the importance of focusing on one game at a time and trusting the management's strategy to tackle the challenges ahead.
“It is always a game at a time. The first game is France. We will check up on the rest when we get there. The management will give us a plan on how to tackle South Africa and Australia. Just trust us, and you will see great things happening,” he concluded.
With a mix of raw talent and determination, Kenya Sevens will be looking to make a mark in their return to the Series.
2025 HSBC WORLD RUGBY 7S SERIES SCHEDULE
Dubai Sevens – 30th November- 1st December, 2024
Cape Town Sevens – 7th, 8th December, 2024
Perth Sevens – 24th, 26th January
Vancouver Sevens – 21st, 23rd February
Hong Kong Sevens – 28th, 30th March
