Kenya Rugby Union chairman Sasha Mutai is saying the scrapping of rugby sevens from the 2026 Commonwealth Games is a blessing in disguise, as it will help them focus more on qualification for the Olympics and the World Cup.
The organizers for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, announced that only 10 sports will be run on the program, with rugby sevens and hockey among the major sports that were excluded from the calendar.
Kenya has always competed at the Commonwealth Games, and this is usually an opportunity for players to bulk up their experience.
Of course, it is a shame that we can’t play that in 2026, but for us, we are looking at it differently. It would have been a really packed calendar because we will have the World Series, which we are very keen on because of the 2028 Olympic qualification as well as the rugby sevens World Cup. Adding on the Commonwealth Games would have been heavier. So, it is more of an okay situation even if we don’t have the Games.
Kenya is looking to return to the top of rugby sevens in the world, having just been promoted back to the World Series after they were relegated a season ago. Mutai is optimistic that they will secure a top-eight berth this season and avoid the axe.
