11 Nations to Converge in Kenya for 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Championship

Kenya is set to host 11 nations for the 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Championship scheduled for November 7 and 8 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, placing the HSBC SVNS 3 competition up for grabs.

In a statement on Wednesday, November 4, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the competition would feature teams from across the continent, with South Africa, Uganda and Madagascar among the participating sides.

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"The tournament will bring together 11 teams to compete for the African title, with a place in the HSBC SVNS 3 also at stake. Joining hosts Kenya are Burkina Faso, Ghana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe," the statement read.

Mvurya said hosting the continental competition formed part of its broader ambition to position Kenya as a major destination for international sporting events while creating more opportunities for women athletes.

"Hosting the championship advances Kenya’s commitment to becoming a leading destination for major sporting events. It also provides a platform to grow women’s rugby and showcase the talent emerging across the continent," the statement added.

Mvurya also welcomed the participating teams and their supporters, saying the tournament would offer visitors an opportunity to experience Kenya beyond the sporting competition.

"On behalf of the Government of Kenya, I welcome all participating teams and their supporters to Nairobi and invite our visitors to experience Kenya’s exceptional hospitality beyond the rugby field," the statement further read.

According to Mvurya, the Kenya Lionesses entered the competition following an impressive performance at the Safari Sevens, where they defeated Uganda 22-5 in the final to successfully defend their title.

With the tournament expected to attract significant attention from rugby fans, the Ministry urged Kenyans to attend the matches and support the national team.

"I urge Kenyans to turn out in large numbers at the RFUEA Grounds and give our Lionesses the backing they deserve. Tickets are already available through Tikohub.com," the statement noted.

The championship also came as Kenyan rugby celebrated a historic achievement at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where the Rising Lionesses secured gold after defeating Australia 17-12 in an extra-time final.

The young Kenyan side had demonstrated impressive form throughout the competition, beginning with a 12–5 victory over China before recording a commanding 19–0 win against hosts Senegal.

They subsequently defeated Madagascar 15-5 in the semi-final to book their place in the final, where they overcame Australia to claim the gold medal.

Mvurya said the achievement marked a historic first for the continent, with Kenya becoming the first African nation to win rugby sevens gold at either the Olympic Games or the Youth Olympic Games.

"Their victory made Kenya the first African nation to win rugby sevens gold at either the Olympic Games or the Youth Olympic Games. I congratulate the players, coaches, technical bench and support staff. Their hard work throughout the campaign and their composure in a closely contested final have made Kenya proud," the statement concluded.

Elsewhere, Kenya has qualified 53 athletes across 13 sporting disciplines for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.

In a statement on Sunday, November 1, the Ministry of Sports said Kenya had joined the global sporting fraternity in celebrating the start of the Games, describing the event as a defining moment for African sport.

The Kenyan contingent will feature athletes competing in athletics, rugby sevens, basketball 3x3, swimming, boxing, cycling, fencing, judo, Baseball5, beach handball, beach wrestling, triathlon and wushu.

Of the 53 athletes, 41 are female, representing 77 per cent of the country's qualified contingent and highlighting the strong representation of young women in Kenya's sporting programme.

The Ministry described the team's participation as an important opportunity for emerging athletes to compete internationally and showcase their abilities.

"Team Kenya’s participation in this landmark sporting event is a moment of immense national pride, providing an exceptional platform for our young athletes to showcase their talent, compete against the world’s best and contribute to a new chapter in Africa’s sporting history," the statement read.

The government said Kenya's presence at the Games was part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country's talent development system and prepare promising athletes for senior international competitions.

"Our presence in Dakar is anchored on a deliberate and long-term vision to strengthen Kenya’s sporting talent development pipeline. 

"The Youth Olympic Games provide a critical transition platform through which promising young athletes gain exposure to elite international competition, develop the resilience and discipline required at the highest levels and prepare for progression into senior national teams," the statement added.

The Ministry urged the athletes to uphold the country's sporting values and use the international competition as an opportunity to inspire other young people interested in pursuing sports careers.

"To Team Kenya, this is your moment to demonstrate the discipline, resilience, determination and excellence that define our nation's sporting heritage. You represent a new generation entrusted with carrying forward Kenya’s proud Olympic tradition while establishing your own legacy on the international stage. 

"Compete with integrity, uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and embrace this opportunity to learn, grow and inspire millions of young Kenyans who aspire to follow in their footsteps," the statement concluded.