I feel good, says Ayera ahead of Monaco Repechage event

Uganda Rugby Cranes 7s will make their final attempt to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the World Rugby Sevens Repechage event slated for 19th- 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 teams to qualify for the Rugby Sevens competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Rugby Cranes 7s star Desire Ayera says that he’s excited ahead of kickoff due to the importance of the tournament and the ‘weight’ of the teams participating in it.

“I feel good since we will be playing countries that also participate in the World Rugby 7s Series so it will give us a taste of what it will feels to play against such teams in the Series,” Ayera told Uganda Rugby Union website recently.

Ayera optimistic ahead of Repechage event

Ayera believes that just appearing at the tournament is a milestone for the side as it sets up the team on a whole different platform.

“It’s a huge achievement because it draws us closer to qualifying for Olympics which is a huge sporting platform. It also gives us much exposure ahead of future tournaments,” Ayera who plies his trade with local side Black Pirates said.

Uganda is seeded in men’s Pool B with France, Hong Kong, Chile and Jamaica.

Ayera says that he’s looking forward to face Chile and Hong Kong for the team has played against them before.

12 women’s and 10 men’s teams will compete in a round robin at a competition 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