Commonwealth Games: Kenya’s quest for historic gold

When it comes to the Commonwealth Games, Kenya’s record on the track speaks for itself.

At Glasgow in 2014, golds were won at every distance from 800m to 10,000m and in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, only Kenyan athletes have claimed medals since 1994.

Never, though, has the African nation won gold in a team event away from the track – but that could be about to change.

A powerful force on the rugby sevens circuit with a trophy to prove it, Shujaa, as Kenya’s national team is known, has a chance at history on Australia’s Gold Coast this week.

While many Kenyan athletes have disappointed at the Games so far, the expectations of the rugby team are high after back-to-back runner-up finishes in Hong Kong and Vancouver on the Sevens World Series circuit.

“It could be a really big thing for us to get the gold,” Andrew Amonde, a former captain approaching 300 World Series matches for his country, tells CNN Sport.

“We have waited for this for a very long time. Winning gold – it’s something the team feel they could do.

“To be the first team ever to bring something back home would be a huge achievement for us, something we really feel we can go out and achieve.”

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Steve Bardens/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Paris, France —

Victory for South Africa and a fifth-place finish for Fiji saw the Blitzboks take the 2017-18 Sevens World Series title by just two points.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Steve Bardens/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Paris, France —

A runner-up finish for Australia in Paris was enough to secure the overall women's title ahead of rivals New Zealand.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Paris, France —

Portia Woodman bagged two tries in the Paris final, which ended 33-7 in favor of the Black Ferns. Despite three tournament wins, however, they couldn't defend their championship title.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

London, England —

Fiji's Josua Tuisova looks for an offload in the final of the London Sevens against South Africa. His side ran out 21-17 victors to take control of the series.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: DON MACKINNON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Langford, Canada —

New Zealand's Black Ferns inflicted the heaviest ever series defeat on Australia in the final of the Canada Sevens, scoring eight tries in a 46-0 demolition of their rivals.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Singapore —

Fiji moved to the top of the standings with a tense victory over Australia in Singapore.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Kitakyushu, Japan —

New Zealand's Black Ferns backed up Commonwealth gold with silverware in Japan after a 24-12 victory over France in final.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Hong Kong —

Fiji made history in Hong Kong -- the most famous and best-loved leg of the Sevens World Series -- by winning a fourth consecutive title, defeating Kenya 24-12 in the final.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Keith Tsuji/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Hong Kong —

Japan gained a berth in next year's Sevens World Series with a 19-14 victory over Germany in the qualifier event.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Ben Nelms/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Vancouver, Cananda —

Fiji fans celebrate in Vancouver where their country secured its second win of the Sevens World Series.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: DON MACKINNON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Vancouver, Cananda —

Kenya was the tournament's surprise package. Playing in its first final since Singapore in 2016, Shujaa eventually went down 31-12 to Fiji.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Brandon Magnus /Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Las Vegas, USA —

There was an historic result in Vegas as the Eagles lifted the trophy for the first time on home soil with a 28-0 victory over Argentina in the final. It was just the second title USA have won, the first coming in London in 2015.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Hamilton, New Zealand —

Fiji overturned a first-half deficit against South Africa to claim a first title of the season in Hamilton -- the first time the town has hosted a Sevens World Series tournament after the New Zealand leg was moved from Wellington.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: MARK EVANS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Sydney, Australia —

Australia's women continued their storming start to the season in Sydney. Tim Walsh's side became the first team ever to go a whole tournament without conceding a point.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Jason McCawley/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images for HSBC

Sydney, Australia —

There was more good news to come for home fans that weekend in Sydney. The men eased past South Africa 29-0 in the final, with Ben O'Donnell (pictured) grabbing a brace.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: RODGER BOSCH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Cape Town, South Africa —

The All Blacks claimed a first tournament victory since March 2016 in Cape Town, toppling Argentina in the final.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Dubai, UAE —

Having finished second to New Zealand in last season's overall standings, Australia's women got their campaign off to winning ways by overwhelming USA 34-0 in the opening tournament in Dubai.

Photos: Rugby Sevens 2017-18

PHOTO: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Dubai, UAE —

Last year's world champion South Africa started this season as they ended the last. The Blitzboks saw off New Zealand 24-12 in the UAE to win the first piece of silverware up for grabs in the men's competition.

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Sacrifice, belief – and one ‘mega boost’

In Kenya’s pool is four-time Commonwealth champion New Zealand, but that shouldn’t phase Shujaa, who toppled the All Blacks en route to the Cup Final in Hong Kong.

Two defeats to Fiji mean Kenya hasn’t been able to match what remains the team’s proudest achievement – lifting the Singapore Sevens trophy in 2016, the nation’s first and only Sevens World Series title to date.

It’s a moment Amonde, who captained the side that day, remembers fondly.

“Winning that trophy was a mega boost for our squad,” he explains.

“We had put in a lot of sacrifice to get there over the years and having won the first one is something that really boosted our morale – we saw that it’s possible and it gave us that belief.”

Part of the squad that fell just short in the two recent Cup Finals, Amonde hopes the promising form can be carried into future tournaments.

“We’re playing very well. We are basing our next tournaments on some of the things we did in Vancouver … we’re hoping to get into the finals, and hope we can win a medal for the country,” he said.

Challenges

A few decades ago, the Kenya Rugby Union took the decision to focus efforts on the seven-a-side game. In the 15-a-side format, Kenya was only at a stage to compete against other African nations; with sevens, they had the prospect of competing internationally.

At the time, rivals laughed but over the years it’s reaped rewards.

Since then, the likes of Uganda and Zimbabwe have followed suit and focused their attentions on rugby’s shortened format.

“We took that decision and it has paid off,” Kenya Rugby president Richard Omwela tells CNN. “We are now able to beat some of the big boys on the global leagues.

“We’ve ended up playing, for example, New Zealand, who we would never dream of playing in fifteens.”

But despite Shujaa’s impressive rise on the world circuit, challenges still remain. Results on the field belie the difference in resources between Kenya and some of its rivals.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Australia's stunning Gold Coast will stage the 2018 Comonwealth Games from April 4-15. Here are the venues that will host the event on the country's East coast.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Carrara Stadium —

The heartbeat of this year's Commonwealth Games is the Carrara Stadium and its capacity has been boosted from 27,500 to 40,000. the venue will host track and field events as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. The arena is home to AFL team the Gold Coast Suns.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images for GOLDOC

Coolangatta beach —

Views don't get much better than the dazzling Coolangatta beach, which will morph into the beach volleyball arena for the Commonwealth Games. Up to 4,000 will pack onto the shores of the Gold Coast for the action.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Townsville Entertainment and Convention Center —

Australia is renowned for its sunny beaches and crystal seas, and Townsville, one of the three host locations outside the Gold Coast, is no exception. Close to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, the Queensland city will host basketball fixtures at this year's Games.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Cairns Convention Center —

Basketball heats will also take place in Cairns. The Center here has a capacity of 5,000.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Optus Aquatic Center —

Stunning sands will be easy to find for fans in Australia, which is hosting its sixth Commonwealth Games. Down on the seafront is the Optus Aquatic Center, where spectators can catch diving and swimming events.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Southport Broadwater Parklands —

This park will host the triathlon, where England's Brownlee brothers will look to defend their one-two secured in Glasgow in 2014.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Robina Stadium —

Home to the NRL's Gold Coast Titans, the 27,500-seat stadium will play host the rugby sevens. South Africa won in 2014, the first time a team other than New Zealand lifted the trophy. A women's competition will take place for the first time ever this year.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Oxenford Studios —

Better known as the set of a blockbuster movie, these Gold Coast studios will be transformed into venues for table tennis and boxing with a capacity of 3,000.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Gold Coast Hockey Center —

Situated in Labrador's Keith Hunt Park, this year's hockey venue has the luxury of two new, synthetic pitches. Australia has historically dominated this event, with the men triumphing every year since the sport's Commonwealth inception in 1998 and only an India victory in 2002 tarnishing the women's record.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Anna Meares Velodrome —

Track cycling will be held in Brisbane at this 4,000-seat, $59-million venue, named after the retired Australian athlete who won two Olympic and five Commonwealth titles. The other Brisbane site of the Games is the Belmont Shooting Center.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Nerang Mountain Bike Trails —

A year-long project throughout 2016 helped revamp the trails and facilities of the Nerang National Park in preparation for the mountain bike competition.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Broadbeach Bowls Club —

Bowls has a long tradition at the Commonwealth Games, dating back to the inaugural British Empire Games -- as it was then called -- in 1930. The 2018 event will be held in a spruced-up venue next to the sea.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre —

Weightlifting, badminton, powerlifting and wrestling will all be hosted in the shadow of the Carrara Stadium.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Courtesy Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Coomera Indoor Sports Centre —

The Coomera Indoor Sports Center is the largest purpose-built arena that the 2018 Commonwealth Games has to offer. The 7,500-capacity venue will host gymnastics and netball.

Photos: Exploring Australia's Gold Coast

PHOTO: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Currumbin beachfront —

Road cycling and race walking will start and finish on the picturesque Currumbin Bay. Pictured is a test event of the Cycling Road Race.

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Sponsors have been difficult to secure on a consistent basis, and many players balance their rugby duties with part-time jobs or university studies.

“Countries like the United States, countries like England, or countries like South Africa have got a lot of resources and are able to condition players to compete at a high level. We don’t have enough of those sorts of resources,” says Omwela.

“It’s difficult for a player to be away for 14 days out in Hong Kong or Singapore – going to United States one week then Vancouver another. It’s hard for employers to keep you in your job if half the time you’re never at your place of work. It’s very, very challenging for us.

“While, for example, the England players will be in rehab or training and so on, we don’t have that luxury. Funding is a major issue.”

As for the players, all they can do is to keep performing and hope their efforts don’t get overlooked.

“When we returned from Vancouver, the government took notice of us – that the boys are playing well and need support,” says Omwela.

“They’re able to send high-level officials to receive the team when they arrive. Sometimes when we don’t play well, we don’t see them as often when we arrive. We slip in the taxi and continue our training.”

Looking forwards

The Commonwealth Games is a further opportunity for Shujaa to establish themselves as one of the world’s top teams and maybe make a piece of national history in the process.

As far as Omwela is concerned, he’d be delighted if the team, which has never finished higher than seventh at the Commonwealths, left Australia with a medal of any color.

“Obviously riding on the way we’re playing (at the moment) we are hoping for a podium finish,” he said. “Not necessarily a gold but even picking up a silver or a bronze would be a big achievement for us. We believe that the players we’ve got are capable of doing that.”

Beyond the immediate focus of the Commonwealth Games, he says he’d like to see his country break into the top four of the Sevens World Series standings – positions usually occupied by heavyweights New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa and England – in the next five years.

Amonde, who only took up the sport after leaving school when he caught the eye of a local coach for “looking rugby-like,” thinks there’s still work to be done if Kenya “really wants to be ranked amongst the best.

“We have to improve the quality of the things we do back home and having the players coming through from an amateur set-up to a professional set-up,” he says.

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He, like Omwela, says the primary focus on the Gold Coast is also to get a medal of any kind.

But if this Kenyan side was to go one step further, who knows what sort of crowd could greet them when they step off the plane from Australia.