The National Assembly has hailed the National Women’s Sevens Rugby Team, the Lionesses, for their victories in the recently concluded World Sevens Rugby Challenge (HSBC) Series held in Cape Town, South Africa.  

Deputy Speaker, Hon. Gladys Boss (Uasin Gishu County) lauded the team’s remarkable achievements. “For many years, lovers of rugby have known the men’s rugby team as one that has brought honour and glory to the country. It is, therefore, impressive that the Kenya women's rugby team has been steadily rising to stardom and bringing sporting glory to the country, as demonstrated in Cape Town during the just-concluded HSBC Series,” she stated. 

The Lionesses delivered an electrifying performance in Cape Town, securing a hard-fought 17-12 victory over Argentina in the first-round final. In the second round, they dominated hosts South Africa with a convincing 17-0 win, marking the first time in history that the team has claimed victory in a rugby challenge series and won two consecutive tournaments. 

“This is truly an exceptional performance by our women’s rugby team, resulting from hard work, incredible resilience, determination, and skill,” Hon. Boss noted. 

Despite their success, the Lionesses continue to grapple with financial constraints, limited resources, and inadequate visibility. Hon. Boss emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure the sustained growth of women’s rugby in Kenya. 

“As we know, they visited Bunge, and we were able to provide them with food for one year. Those are some of the obstacles that could potentially hinder the sport’s growth and advancement,” she remarked. 

In her statement to the House, the Deputy Speaker highlighted the gender-based disparities in sports, urging Parliament to take proactive measures to promote equality. 

“In the world of sports, women often face unique challenges and barriers, including unequal opportunities, gender-based discrimination, and inadequate access to health care services. As parliamentarians, we have a constitutional duty and a responsibility to address these issues head-on,” she asserted. 

Hon. Boss acknowledged the role of private sector support in advancing women’s sports, singling out Safaricom PLC for stepping up to assist the Lionesses. She encouraged other organizations to follow suit. 

“I urge more organisations to consider supporting our women’s rugby team and other disciplines featuring female sportspersons,” she urged. 

Speaking in the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker Boss reaffirmed the commitment of the House to advocating for gender equality in sports and ensuring that female athletes receive the recognition and resources they deserve. 

“To our Lionesses, I say this: Continue to shine brightly on the rugby field, inspire the next generation of sportswomen, and never forget your worth and value as women. You are a role model and champion of change, and your contributions to our national pride are truly invaluable,” Hon. Boss stated.