Ruto awards Shujaa Sh3m after qualifying for Paris Olympics
Shujaa holding a dummy cheques of Sh3 million gifted by President William Ruto on September 19, 2023 KENYA RUGBY/X
President William Ruto has gifted the national rugby sevens team Shujaa Sh3 million for qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The cheque was presented to the champions during a breakfast meeting hosted by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba in Nairobi.
Ababu presented the cheque on behalf of the Head of State who is currently in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
The sevens rugby team that were underdogs heading into the finals, defeated South Africa 17-12 in Harare, Zimbabwe, to qualify for the quadrennial show for the third time in a row.
While congratulating the team, Ruto said he was thrilled by Shujaa’s incredible show against South Africa.
"You have all our support as you prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hongera!"
The team had in 2022, asked Kenyans online to help In fundraising after going for three months without pay as they were heading to Dubai and Cape Town Sevens Series
In an online appeal, senior players Billy Odhiambo and Willy Ambaka expressed frustration on how it was tough on them and their families to go without salaries and pay for three months.
Ambaka said: "As some of you may have heard, we are now in our third month without pay. Our lives have been greatly strained despite our persistent effort to give you the desired outcomes on the pitch.”
“Our desperate situation has now forced us to turn to you, our global community, to help us in raising funds,” Ambaka appealed to Kenyans and other well-wishers, adding that money raised will be split among the players to help settle some of their pending bills. “We need your assistance.”
