The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has announced upcoming trials for Under 18 and Under 16 rugby teams in Kenya, aimed at selecting players for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar, Senegal.
KRU has announced that the Under 18 trials will focus on the 15’s format, while the Under 16 trials will be in the faster-paced 7s game, which has been an Olympic fixture since 2016.
The KRU’s trials are strategically timed to identify and nurture talent for this prestigious competition, which will showcase both the 15s and 7s formats of the sport.
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KRU TRIAL DATES
| DATE | REGION | VENUE |
| 6th & 7th July | Central Region | Kagumo High School |
| 11th & 12th July | Western Region | Kakamega High School |
| 13th & 14th July | Rift Valley Region | Kabianga High School |
| 15th & 16th July | Nyanza Region | Kisii High School |
| 18th & 19th July | Nairobi Region | RFUEA Grounds |
| 20th & 21st July | Eastern Region | Machakos School |
| 24th& 25th July | Coast Region | Shimo la Tewa High School |
These trials are part of a talent identification process that began with regional selections in 2024, where over 240 players competed for just 60 spots which brought the attention to the depth of young rugby talent in Kenya.
The KRU’s commitment to this development pathway is evident in its structured approach, with the latest trials building on last year’s successful regional festivals.
Kenya’s Strategy
For Kenya, excelling in 7s where the national team, the Kenya Morans, recently showcased their prowess ahead of the Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens in Mauritius could be a key to Olympic success.
The inclusion of both 15s and 7s formats aligns with global rugby trends, where the 7s game has seen a remarkable 25% surge in youth participation worldwide, according to a 2023 World Rugby study.
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Challenges
The YOG faced its first major test with the COVID-19 pandemic. The planned fourth Summer YOG, originally scheduled for Dakar, Senegal, in 2022, was postponed to 2026 following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC)136th Session in July 2020.
IOC President Thomas Bach has highlighted Africa’s unity behind Senegal, with preparations intensifying as venues and legacy plans advance.
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