Uganda 7s coach Tolbert Onyango is directing the team’s efforts towards enhancing fitness as they gear up for the Challenger Series, a crucial step in their preparation for the Olympic Qualifiers in 2024.
During a team training session at the Kings Park Arena, Onyango highlighted the significance of addressing the fitness levels of the players before the tournament scheduled for January 12-14 in Dubai. The training included various sessions, including a focus on swimming.
The addition of youngsters Malcolm Okello and Gift Wokorach to the squad is aimed at strengthening the team’s depth, particularly with the need for more players and a high level of fitness. Okello and Wokorach showcased their skills during the Kenya Rugby Safari7s tournament in November, where Uganda 7s secured a third-place finish after defeating Germany 31-5 in the play-off.
Onyango expressed satisfaction with the performance of the young players in the Safari7s and emphasized his role in refining their skills. He outlined the necessity of having a 24-player squad due to the numerous international tournaments lined up for the 2024 season.
The coach noted the positive morale within the camp and highlighted their focus on addressing specific areas identified during the Safari 7s in Nairobi.
“We are fine in the camp. The boys are in high spirits ahead of the Dubai challenge, and we are just trying our best to fix the few wanting areas,” Onyango stated.
The HSBC World Rugby 7s campaign begins with the opening HSBC Challenger series in Dubai from January 12-14, followed by tournaments in Montevideo, Uruguay (March 8-10), and Munich, Germany (May 18-19, 2024).
The team’s performance in Dubai is crucial not only for the Challenger Series but also as preparation for the 2024 Olympics repechage scheduled for June. The squad includes players such as Desire Ayera, Ian Munyani (cpt), and Timothy Mugisha, among others.
