Shujaa in line to feature in New York 7s tourney with over Ksh 130 million prize pot

The men’s national rugby 7s side Shujaa are in line to take part in the $1 million NYC Champion Sevens rugby tournament set to take place at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday 15 July 2023.

This is after the team was projected to be among the eight teams that will be contending for the World Rugby richest-ever prize.

“Unlike any new sports league in history, the World RFL’s inaugural event will showcase World Rugby's greatest teams fighting for World Rugby's richest-ever prize – $1 million cash,” said William Tatham, Esq., the World RFL Founder and Commissioner.

Apart from Kenya, nations that have been projected to participate in the NYC Champion Sevens include New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, Fiji, Ireland, and the United States in the tournament sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic and World Cup governing body USA Rugby.

Already, the USA have already been confirmed for the tournament as they became the first team to be officially introduced to the line-up.

Ross Young, CEO of USA Rugby said, “There is much excitement from the USA camp as we confirm our participation in the NYC Sevens later this summer. A lot of buzz has been building into this event, and we look forward to seeing it come to life, offering another opportunity for USA fans to get out and support the squad.”

NYC Sevens will bring together 25,000 rabid fans cheering on eight of World Rugby's top-ranked men's teams.

The one-day, 16-game international rugby festival promises to bring Red Bull Arena a Hong Kong Sevens-style party off the field with 11 hours of entertainment and the international sports culture rugby sevens is most famous for.

"NYC Sevens is not just fast-paced, hard-hitting rugby that features the best teams in the world. It is an all-day festival showcasing the energy and passion of international rugby sevens through music and sport," said Rob Cornelius, President of 44FiftyFive Sports & Entertainment and Head of Operations for NYC Sevens.

"As a leading promoter of the Las Vegas USA Sevens, the most successful rugby sevens event in the United States, we are excited to be a part of The World RFL’s premiere kick-off event by introducing Olympic-caliber rugby sevens to New York City.”

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