New York City (NYC) Sevens, the highly anticipated rugby tournament scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 15, 2023, has been postponed due to severe air quality alerts caused by the ongoing Canadian wildfires.
The organizers, in a statement, expressed regret over the decision but emphasized that fan and player safety remain their top priority.
The air quality alerts prompted the NYC authorities to take this difficult step in order to protect the well-being of all participants and spectators. With air pollution levels reaching concerning heights, it was deemed necessary to postpone the event until conditions improve.
Kenya 7s had been drawn in the challenging Red Pool for the inaugural NYC Sevens. Their opponents in the pool stage included formidable teams such as New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. This lineup promised an intense battle on the field, showcasing the best talents from each country.
Shujaa’s journey in the tournament was set to commence with a match against rugby powerhouse New Zealand, followed by matches against Australia and South Africa. The team was gearing up to face tough competition, hoping to secure victories and progress to the final stage.
In the Blue Pool, teams such as Fiji, France, Ireland, and the host nation, the United States, were scheduled to compete against each other. The presence of these highly skilled teams ensured that the competition would be fierce and captivating.
Under the original format, the winners of each pool would advance to the final to compete for the overall title. The second-placed teams were slated to battle for the bronze medal, while the third-placed teams would fight for the plate title. The fourth-placed teams in each pool would have contested the bowl final.
