KRU boss Okach: Hosting HSBC an opportunity for Kenya to showcase her tourism, sports potential

As Kenya gears up to host the HSBC SVNS 2 tournament, the event is being viewed as a major opportunity to position the country as both a credible sporting nation and an attractive sports tourism destination.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairperson Harriet Okach says the global sevens tournament goes beyond rugby, providing a platform to showcase Kenya’s sporting facilities, organisational capacity and renowned hospitality to the international sporting community.

In an interview with Sporty Monday programme on Citizen TV, Okach noted that hosting international competitions allows visiting teams, officials and fans to experience the country’s infrastructure and services firsthand - exposure she believes is critical in attracting future hosting rights across different sports.

“These tournaments will enable us to showcase Kenya as a sports tourism destination, as well as a sporting nation,” Okach said.

She adds that Kenya’s diversity and warmth remain among its strongest assets, with major sporting events offering an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s ability to host visitors from around the world.

According to Okach, the successful staging of the HSBC SVNS 2 will send a strong signal to global sporting bodies that Kenya can deliver world-class events that meet international standards both on and off the field.

The tournament, set to be held this weekend, at the Nyayo National Stadium, she notes, also aligns with Kenya’s broader ambition of using sport as a catalyst for tourism growth, economic activity and increased global visibility.

With teams and fans expected to travel from different parts of the world, the event presents a chance to market Kenya’s hospitality industry, tourism offerings and cultural diversity alongside elite sporting competition.

Kenya has previously hosted major continental and international tournaments, but Okach believes consistent exposure through globally recognised events is key to elevating the country’s profile as a preferred host nation.

Sje noted that the Union’s focus remains on delivering a seamless tournament experience that reflects positively on the country.

For Okach, the objective extends beyond the final whistle, viewing the HSBC SVNS 2 as a stepping stone toward attracting more international sporting events and strengthening Kenya’s standing on the global sports map.