Kenya Sevens co-captain Samuel Asati believes the country's players will return stronger from the inaugural Ultimate 7s championship. For Asati, the new franchise competition will expose them to different playing styles, fresh tactical approaches and world-class teammates.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsAsati is among 14 Kenyans included in the inaugural Ultimate 7s player draft, which will see six franchises assemble squads for the privately backed international sevens competition set to debut in September.The experienced playmaker said his selection came as no surprise after his performances during the qualifying series and expressed confidence that the opportunity would benefit not only the selected players but Kenyan rugby as a whole."I played in the series, and I played quite well, so I expected the guys who played in the series to be called to the Ultimate 7s.Fortunately, I got the chance to play there, and that is a good thing for me and the Kenyan fraternity because we will go out there, learn new game plans, learn to play with the other teammates, and that is a plus for Kenya Rugby," Asati told Mozzart Sport.##NAJAVA_MECA_9907075##The competition will also reunite players who have spent the series competing against one another but will now join forces under the same franchise colours."For the teammates, we have been playing with them in the series, and those are the guys we have been chatting with over and over. The only difference is that now I get to play with them," he added.Away from the international stage, Asati reserved praise for Kenya's emerging talent, urging young players to continue working hard while congratulating Cardinal Otunga High School after they qualifief for the East Africa Games."I would tell the young people to work hard and continue having fun. Also, congratulations to Cardinal Otunga for making it to the East Africa stage. They are doing quite well, have young talent, and I'm hoping to see them playing in this series in the coming years,” he said.Former Kenya Lionesses star opens up on the beauty and challenges of motherhoodAsati is one of 10 members of the men's national sevens team, Shujaa, named in the draft pool alongside experienced campaigners: Tony Omondi, Vincent Onyala and Chrisant Ojwang. The list also includes co-captain George Ooro, John Okoth, Kevin Wekesa, Nygel Amaitsa, Patrick Odongo and Festus Shiasi.The women's contingent features four Kenya Lionesses internationals: speedsters Freshia Odour and Sinaida Nyachio, as well as experienced players Maureen Muritu and Sheila Chajira.The 14 Kenyans are part of a draft pool of more than 120 players from across the globe, featuring Olympians, established HSBC SVNS stars and rising talents, with equal representation in both the men's and women's competitions.Ultimate 7s is a new franchise-based international sevens championship launched under the BIA Sports Group banner. Floyd Wabwire named in star-studded squad for prestigious USA tournamentSix founding clubs; 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, will compete across a four-stop European tour before the inaugural champions are crowned.Each franchise will field both a men's and women's team of 12 players. The teams will be guided 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 allocated 24 marquee players; 12 men and 12 women, to ensure each franchise begins with an even spread of elite talent. The remaining places will be filled through a five-round player draft, where coaches will have just 45 seconds to make each selection.Each squad will comprise two marquee players, nine drafted elite players and one academy player. Complete squad lists are expected to be confirmed later this week after the conclusion of the draft.Amonde rules out legal action after KRU terminates Shujaa roleThe inaugural Ultimate 7s season will kick off on September 5 at Ontime Butarque Stadium in Madrid before travelling to Cardiff Arms Park on September 12. The third leg will be held at Parc des Sports Aguilera in Biarritz on September 18, with the Grand Final scheduled for September 24 at London's Gtech Community Stadium.