Guest Post - From the Ladies in Dubai

My very first post. Second time around at the IRB Dubai 7s& having
only ever experienced my biggest, grandest rugby tournament as Safari
7s... the culture shock is complete.

The kenyan women (aka kenya lionesses) arrived Dubai yesterday 30th
Dec, 3am. We have settled in ok, staying at arabian park hotel. The
team is in excellent mental mode, a mixture of nerves for the first
timers and a 'leave no captives' for those who get a second chance
here. Last year, the team travelled 9 players due to visa hitches.

A light training session yesterday at pitch 2, the sevens stadium,
went well. We bumped into Homeboyz there who had just finished their
sessions.

The sevens pitch is craaazy if all you have been used to is KRU,
Jamhuri or KCB grounds. Nothing can prepare you for it. It has 7 rugby
pitches SEVEN?! All well maintained and labelled, though I tend to
think that the numbering isn't very straightforward. But this being
our second time, we can find our way around.

Kenya Lionesses are in pool IWCi.e International Women C & we play
against; Khimki, Burevestnik (both from Russia) & Samurai Dubai at
12noon, 1620h & 2020h. There are 4 pools in our category. This year we
are a full team of 12; in strength, pace & experience. We have a game
plan & a goal...

A total of 160teams (excluding the main IRB games) taking part. Is
this what it nearly feels like at the Olympics? More to come later on
our game plans & goal and on the high level organizations going on
ground! Can't help but think of the ants...

I'm off to the gym. Will be back with more.

to kenyan rugby!