Thirteen Kenyan rugby players are staring at a painful case of what might have been after visa delays denied them the opportunity to compete in the inaugural Ultimate 7s Championship and potentially earn millions of shillings.The players, who were selected across all six franchises taking part in the new global sevens competition, had already signed contracts before their planned departure for Europe.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe financial terms offered a significant incentive, with players divided into three payment tiers.Tier one players were set to earn €15,000, approximately Ksh2.25 million, while tier two players were guaranteed €14,000, worth about Ksh2.10 million. Tier three players were contracted to earn €12,000, approximately Ksh1.80 million.##NAJAVA_MECA_9961668##A player who spoke to Mozzart Sport on condition of anonymity revealed that half of the contracted amount was to be paid one week after arrival, with the balance due upon completion of the tournament.“We had already signed the contracts. The agreement was that once we arrived, after one week we would receive half of the full amount we had agreed on, then the rest would come after the tournament,” the player said.The lucrative contracts represented a rare financial opportunity for Kenyan sevens players, particularly given the relatively modest earnings available in domestic rugby.Brian Tanga reveals next move after calling time on glittering 12-year 7s careerHowever, their hopes were derailed by delays in securing Schengen visas, with only one of the 14 selected Kenyan players eventually managing to travel.The players were expected to join their respective franchises around the time of the Embu 7s as the teams assembled their squads ahead of the championship.Instead, 13 remained in Kenya as their international teammates began competing in the new competition.The Ultimate 7s Championship kicked off in Madrid on September 12 and is scheduled to move through Cardiff and Biarritz before concluding in London.Former Kenya Sevens ace appeals for financial help after being rescued from street lifeThe Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that generally allows holders to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180 days.For the affected players, the visa setback has been particularly frustrating because their contracts had already been secured.The anonymous player questioned the handling of the visa process and alleged that the failure to travel may have been deliberate.“We feel someone hand-led it for us to miss the visas. Personally, I feel it was a deliberate move,” he said.The allegation represents the player's personal view and has not been independently established by Mozzart Sport.How Kenya Harlequin rebuilt and rose again after 30-player exodusDespite missing the opening stages of the competition, there could still be a late twist to the saga.The player revealed that the Kenyan contingent's London visas are ready, potentially opening the door for some of the players to join their franchises for the final leg of the championship.That could allow the affected players to salvage part of an international experience that has so far been defined by frustration.John Okoth struggling to process Ultimate 7s disappointment despite Christie 7s triumphUltimate 7s is a new private global rugby sevens competition backed by BIA Sports Group, bringing together six franchise teams featuring elite men's and women's players.The 14 Kenyan players were distributed across all six Ultimate 7s franchises.Clan Taran: Sheila Chajira, Vincent Onyala and John Okoth.Sol Feroz: George Ooro and Moreen Muritu.Pacific Current: Kevin Wekesa, Tony Omondi and Freshia Oduor.Atlantic Novas: Chrisant Ojwang.Foudre Bleue: Patrick Odongo, Festus Shiasi and Sinaida Mokaya.Albion Athletic: Nygel Amaitsa and Samuel Asati.
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