14th January 2024

The men’s national rugby 7s team, Shujaa, emerged as the champions of the 2024 Dubai Challenger Series. In a closely contested final on Sunday 14 January 2024 at the Sevens Stadium in United Arab Emirates, Shujaa defeated Chile 12-5 to claim the main cup title. The game started with Shujaa taking control and causing problems for their opponents. Patrick Odongo, who was the standout player of the tournament, scored two tries to give Kenya a 7-0 lead. In the last moments of the second half, Odongo scored his second try to extend Kenya’s lead to 12-5. This proved to be the final try of the tournament as Shujaa finished the Dubai Challenge Series top of the standings with 20 points, securing their first title of the 2024 season.

However, the women’s team, Kenya Lionesses, fell short in the final. They suffered a 19-5 loss against China and had to settle for silver in the women’s category. Meiling Yan of China scored two tries early on to give her team a 14-0 lead. Sharon Ouma of the Lionesses managed to score a try, bringing the score to 14-5. But Keyi Chen of China sealed the victory for her team with a try, ensuring China claimed the gold medal. Kenya finished second in the women’s category with 18 points, two behind the winners China. Argentina finished third with 16 points.

Both teams will now shift their focus to the second 2024 Challenger Series outing in Uruguay, which will take place from 8-10 March.