As the new year begins, Uganda’s national rugby sevens teams, both men and women, are gearing up for the 2024 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series set to kick off in Dubai next week. The teams have had a busy schedule in recent months, participating in various championships and competitions.
After competing in the Africa Rugby Sevens Championships in Zimbabwe (men) and Tunisia (women), where both teams secured identical third-place finishes, they continued their journey to the annual Kenya Safari Sevens in Nairobi. The Lady Cranes 7s emerged champions, while Rugby Cranes 7s claimed bronze.
With their sights set on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the teams are now focused on the upcoming HSBC Sevens Challenger Series, featuring three rounds across three continents from January to May. The top four teams from the series will advance to the promotion and relegation competition at the Grand Final in Madrid, with the opportunity to qualify for the prestigious HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in 2025.
Despite the demanding schedule, the teams, coached by Tolbert Onyango for Rugby Cranes 7s and Charles One for Lady Cranes 7s, have been working tirelessly in preparation. The men’s team, placed in Pool C, will face familiar opponents Kenya, Germany, and Mexico.
Coach Onyango emphasized the significance of playing familiar opponents, stating, “A realistic target is top four. However, there is a hurdle on day one that we must overcome Germany and Kenya.”
The women’s team, in Pool A, will compete against Belgium, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand. The coaches are expected to announce their respective teams in the coming days as anticipation builds for the challenging and competitive HSBC Sevens Challenger Series.
