As we count hours to the official start of the Tokyo Olympics Games, Team Kenya has continued to attract crowds in Japan.
On Tuesday, the National Sevens Rugby team, Shujaa were greeted with Japanese hospitality and culture in Kurume City.
Mostly known for their flamboyance and uniqueness in the World Sevens Series, Innocent Simiyu’s side are definitely popular in Japan.
From copying their electrifying celebration styles to how they gesture, the Japan community are in love with Shujaa.
On Tuesday in Kurume City they presented a rugby ball autographed by the entire squad to a local volunteer, Goshiro Sato as a sign of gratitude.
Sato (not Saturday in Kenyan slang) has been instrumental in handling Shujaa’s logistics at Team Kenya’s preOlympics training camp in Kurume City, making sure the players and officials had all they needed during their week-long stay in the city.
Team Kenya in return held regular sessions with pupils and students from elementary and secondary schools, sharing various aspects of the rich Kenyan and Japanese cultures.
Opening up Team Kenya training sessions for volleyball and rugby also brought the locals closer to Team Kenya.