Griffin Chao delighted after fulfilling boyhood dream with Kenya Simbas
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 11.11.24. | 15:02
Chao has been eagerly awaiting this opportunity since high school when he first stepped onto a rugby field in 2013.
Kabras Sugar RFC speedster Griffin Chao finally fulfilled his boyhood dream of donning Kenya men's national rugby 15s colours as he made his debut for the Kenya Simbas.
The speed demon was the winger as Simbas roared past Uganda Cranes 27-25 in the Elgon Cup played on Saturday 9 November at the RFUEA Grounds.
He marked his debut in style, scoring the opening try that saw Kenya take an early lead.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport after the game, Chao admitted that nerves were in play until he scored that try.
“I was a little tensed, but getting into the game, I just grew into it. After the try, everything opened up,” he said.
His inclusion into the national team was a decade in the making, and he noted that it was a perfect time. He has been eagerly awaiting this opportunity since high school when he first stepped onto a rugby field in 2013.
"When I saw my name in the final squad, I think I was the happiest at that time. I have waited for this moment for around 10 years since I was in high school. It is a great debut.
The national team call-up came at the perfect time. I was ready for it,” he offered.
For Chao, sharing the pitch with players like George Nyambua was a dream come true, given that he always looked up to them.
“I am very happy to share the team with people like George Nyambua. They are people I always wanted to play with when I put on the national colours,” he said with pride.
Despite a few communication lapses with teammates, Chao is optimistic about the team's future. Simbas will travel to Uganda for the Victoria Cup slated for Saturday 16 November at the King’s Park Arena.
“Communication with the team sometimes was lost, but we will work on that,” he offered.
His message to his fans is, “They should wait for more tries. We are ready for the weekend.”
Growing up, Chao was an aspiring footballer, but his journey took a turn when a friend suggested he try rugby after seeing that his school, St. Joseph’s, was struggling in football.
The suggestion proved fortuitous, as Chao quickly took to the sport, growing in skill and confidence.
After high school, he trained briefly with Mwamba RFC before joining United States International University (USIU) in 2018 and later Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) where he played through the 2022/23 season before moving to Kabras RFC.
At Kabras, Chao trained under the close watch of inexhaustible coach Carlos Kyatwa who saw his potential at center and wing, eventually drafting him into the Kenya Simbas team.
