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The ex-rugby player and internet sensation explains why Kenya were doomed to fail last season and explains how to stand up again.
Former Kenya 7s ace and renowned chef Dennis Ombachi has revealed why Shujaa were relegated from the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
After being a core World Series team for 19 years and following years of stellar performances, the team started performing dismally, and by 2023, the chicks had fully roosted as the side suffered a heartbreaking playoff final loss to Canada at the London 7s series in Twickenham.
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18:00 - 01.06.2023
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Speaking to Carol Radull Live, Ombachi said the new generation of players are being thrown into the deep end without a sense of mentorship and slow integration, exposing their rawness at the highest level.
“My first ever tour was the Middlesex Sevens in London when I was 18, almost 19,” he said. “ I remember how scared I was,” he added.
“I enjoyed the experience, travel, and everything but seated on the bench, I was hoping not to play a single minute because of the jitters I was experiencing. I eventually got used to it and believe it is the best way to introduce young players into the game (because I was integrated slowly).
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14:00 - 04.05.2023
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“Unfortunately nowadays, you have no option. Most young guys nowadays like (Daniel) Taabu, Alvin Otieno and (Johnstone) Olindi are taken directly from high school into the world series. They are performing quite well, but during my generation, we had it a bit easier.
“I remember in my first tournament, I did not even play. I remember Benjamin Ayimba for my first tour saying he would be taking me as a ‘baby’. I traveled three days later and stayed in a separate hotel, but for me, it was about experiencing the ecosystem, and upon experiencing it, that is when I really got involved in it.
“After Mich Ocholla took control, that is when I was baptized by fire."
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15:41 - 22.05.2023
RUGBY Collins Injera explains why Kenya suffered relegation from World Sevens Series
The legendary 7s winger explains why Shujaa's indifferent form caught up with them.
Kenya will have to wait at least a year to qualify for the series again, which is now contested by 12 nations compared to the previous 15. They can also qualify for the 2024 Olympics by winning the Rugby Africa Cup scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe between the23rd and 24th ofSeptember this year.
Ombachi, 32, believes that Kenya must change by investing and planning for a tournament of such a magnitude in order to get back in the right direction.
“We prepare for the Olympics like it is just another tournament. For them, the seasons run year in, year out, but with an Olympic programme which is important. For us, we would only focus on the Olympics two months after leaving, which is not enough because the World series tournament and Olympics is a totally different ball game.
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06:53 - 25.05.2023
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The ‘Roaming Chef’ has become an internet sensation due to his finger-licking delicacies.
“Even for the commonwealth games, we did not do that well (in 2018) which was despite the fact that we performed well the season before reaching three back-to-back finals. For that to change, we need investment and planning.”
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