Kenya will have a strong presence in the inaugural Ultimate Sevens Championship player draft, with 14 national team players set to battle for places in the new global franchise competition ahead of its September launch.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsTen members of the men’s national sevens team, Shujaa, and four Kenya Lionesses stars have been included in the draft pool that will allow the competition’s six founding franchises to assemble their squads.Among the Kenyan men named are experienced campaigners Tony Omondi, Vincent Onyala and Chrisant Ojwang, who headline a list that also features Shujaa co-captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati.Paul Murunga opens up on secret to his success in coachingThe Kenyan contingent is completed by John Okoth, Kevin Wekesa, Nygel Amaitsa, Patrick Odongo and Festus Shiasi.On the women’s side, Kenya Lionesses speedsters Freshia Odour and Sinaida Nyachio have earned places in the draft alongside experienced internationals Maureen Muritu and Sheila Chajira.The 14 Kenyans are among more than 120 players from around the world eligible for selection. The draft pool features Olympians, established HSBC SVNS stars and emerging talents, with an equal split between the men’s and women’s competitions.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878424##Ultimate Sevens is a new privately-backed international rugby sevens championship scheduled to debut in September 2026 under the BIA Sports Group banner.The competition will introduce a franchise-based format, with six clubs competing across a four-stop European tour before crowning champions in London.Each franchise will field both a men’s and women’s team of 12 players, with the two competitions running concurrently throughout the season.Why talented Kabras RFC youngster will miss the Barthes CupThe founding clubs are Albion Athletic Sevens Club, Atlantic Novas Sevens Club, Foudre Bleue Sevens Club, Pacific Current Sevens Club, Clan Taran Sevens Club and Sol Feroz Sevens Club.The franchises will be coached by Philip Snyman (Clan Taran), Shannon Fraser (Albion Athletic), Kelly Brazier (Atlantic Novas), Maria Ribera (Foudre Bleue), Crystal Kaua (Pacific Current) and Paco Hernández (Sol Feroz).Tournament organisers have already assigned 24 marquee players; 12 men and 12 women, to ensure every franchise begins with an even spread of elite talent.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878458##The remaining places will be filled through the player draft, where coaches will have just 45 seconds to make each selection.Each squad will consist of 12 players, including two pre-assigned marquee players, nine drafted elite players and one academy player.The draft will take place over five rounds. Coaches will select two players in each of the opening three rounds, three players in the fourth round and conclude by choosing one academy player in the final round.KSSSA: Inside Kirangari fly-half’s plan to use rugby to rescue mother from restaurant workComplete squad lists are expected to be confirmed later this week following the conclusion of the draft.The inaugural Ultimate Sevens season will begin on September 5 at Ontime Butarque Stadium in Madrid, Spain, before moving to Cardiff Arms Park on September 12.The third leg will be staged at Parc des Sports Aguilera in Biarritz on September 18, with the competition culminating in the Grand Final at London’s Gtech Community Stadium on September 24.
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