Kenya 7s scrum half Samuel Asati reveals what playing at the Olympics would mean to him

Kenya 7s scrum half Samuel Asati is brimming with confidence as he and his teammates gear up for the upcoming Africa 7s and the Paris Olympics.

 Under the astute leadership of head coach Kevin Wambua, Asati believes that the Shujaa squad has what it takes to not only compete but excel on the global stage.

Asati has been a key player since making his debut during the last Africa 7s in Harare, Zambia, in September. His role has been pivotal in Kenya’s resurgence in the HSBC World Sevens Series, and now he has his sights set on helping his country secure a medal at the Olympics, a feat they narrowly missed in 2016 and 2021.

In an interview with following a training session at the Kasarani Annex, Asati shared his excitement and aspirations for the upcoming tournaments

A physically sharp China proved way too much for Kenya Lionesses, who missed on a glorious chance to qualify for a third-successive Olympic tournament.

“Taking part in the Olympics would be a great achievement. The Olympics is the highest pinnacle in the world. Anyone playing there has a tick ahead of the rest,” he said, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“It means a lot because we only have two Olympics left. It would really mean a lot to play in that competition,” he continued.

 “We qualified for the Olympics not just to participate but to show what we have to offer in the highest pinnacle in the world. We are preparing well to be unstoppable at the event.”

The Shujaa squad is set to embark on their journey to Madagascar for the Africa Sevens tournament, scheduled from June 29 to 30 and July 6 to 7 at the Labourdonnais Stadium in Port-Louis.

Lionesses will face Czechia in the semi-finals of the ongoing Olympic Repecharge tournament taking place in Monaco at 3.46 PM

 The event promises to be a rugby extravaganza, featuring 12 African national teams, including powerhouses like Mauritius, Senegal, Algeria, and Madagascar.

Asati exudes confidence in Kenya’s ability to retain their crown, highlighting the team’s depth and readiness.

 “We are not scared. We will be quite ready for the tournament. We have two squads. One for the African games, the other for the Olympics, so that shows our depth is good,” he asserted. 

“We have a new squad and some of those who were not there have rejoined. They are working hard to make sure they match us for fitness so they can help us prepare for both the African games and the Olympics.”

The Lionesses head coach has hailed the impact of KRU's head of high performance Chris Brown's impact in helping Kenya 7s return to the top flight of World sevens rugby.

Beyond the pitch, Asati has found a unique way to bond with his teammates through a podcast he co-hosts with Festus Siashi and Elvis Olukusi. The podcast, , delves into all things rugby, offering a refreshing break from the rigorous training schedules.

“The podcast is helping us bond within the team, it gets us to share what is happening in the camp,” Asati explained with a smile. “Playing rugby can be monotonous, so we need a break, and the podcast is usually a good way to break it.”

As the Lionesses prepare for their upcoming challenges, the team’s spirit and camaraderie are stronger than ever. With Asati’s leadership and the team’s collective determination, Kenya 7s is poised to make a significant impact both at the Africa Sevens and the Olympics.

 The road to Paris is paved with rigorous training, unwavering focus, and the dream of bringing home a medal that will inspire future generations of Kenyan rugby players.

The KCB scrum half has represented Kenya from the U16 level all the way to both 15s and sevens senior teams over a 10-year period