Event: World Rugby Sevens Repechage – Monaco
Venue: Stade Louis II
Dates: 18th- 20th June 2021
Uganda Rugby Cranes 7s have a final chance to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as they are in the mix for the World Rugby Sevens Repechage event slated for 18th- 20th June 2021 at the Stade Louis II in Monaco.
Also dubbed the Olympic Repechage, the Monaco event will determine the final two women’s and one men’s team to qualify for the Rugby Sevens competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
For Ugandan player Levis Ocen, the Buffaloes star is on a double mission, that is; to help his side make it to Tokyo and also showcase his talent at such a huge platform.
“It (Repechage) means a lot to me because it’s gives us a chance to qualify for the Olympics. Playing alongside great teams is an opportunity to learn and be better,” Ocen told the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) website recently.
“I rate my participation in the Repechage high because that’s a huge platform to showcase my skills,” Ocen added hoping that the event can be another stepping stone to new heights.
Ocen also says that it’s an honor to be in the same contingent with Head Coach Tolbert Onyango, team mates Michael Wokorach and Philip Wokorach saying that they have been a great impact on his journey.
Uganda is seeded in men’s Pool B with France, Hong Kong, Chile and Jamaica.
12 women’s and 10 men’s teams will compete in a round robin format with two women’s teams and one men’s team booking their place for Tokyo.
The Olympic men’s Rugby Sevens competition will take place from 26-28 July, with the women’s tournament following on 29-31 July. All the action will take place at Tokyo Stadium, which was a venue for Rugby World Cup 2019.
World Rugby Sevens Repechage – Uganda Schedule:
Friday, 18 June:
*Uganda v Jamaica (6:22pm local time, 7:22pm Uganda time).
Saturday, 19 June:
*HongKong v Uganda (10:06am, 11:06 am Uganda time)
*France v Uganda (6:23pm,7:23pm Uganda time)
Sunday, 20 June:
*Chile v Uganda (1:39pm,2:39pm Uganda time)
Uganda’s Team:
Michael Wokorach, Solomon Okia, Timothy Kisiga, Norbert Okeny, Kelvin Balagade, Philip Wokorach, James Odongo, Ian Munyani, Levis Ocen, Byron Oketayot, Isaac Massanganzira and Desire Ayera.