High-flying Shujaa’s pace master Patrick Odongo has been selected to feature in the Inaugural Rugby Premier League in Mumbai, India.

The tournament set to run from June 1 to June 15 will feature stars from the HSBC SVNS Series with the Day Star University ace as the only pick from Kenya’s Shujaa.

According to rugby pass, the India Rugby PL is the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens league, with HSBC SVNS Series stars set to take part. The edition has been tipped to redefine the future of rugby and promises an enthralling action with a whopping 34 matches to be staged in15 days.

The Kenyan will join other international rugby households names from countries like Argentina, South Africa, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Fiji, USA, and Ireland.

Fine run

His recognition comes after his spectacular run with the Kenya team in the ongoing World Rugby Seven series and particular the recent trip in Singapore.

Odongo was a standout performer, inspiring Kevin Wambua’s Shujaa team finished in second place, after losing to Fiji in the finals of the just concluded leg in Singapore.

His impressive display caught the eye of the KRU CEO Thomas Odundo who has termed his nomination as a deserved call.

“It is an honour and a privilege to have one our our own players selected for this event., and perhaps no one deserves it more than Patrick. He has been consistent over the past two seasons – in the Challenger Series, the HSBC Sevens and for his club, Daystar University. It is a true testimony that hard work does pay and we’re very proud of his selection, and recognition as one of the best finishers in the game. We wish him well and will be glued to the screens if possible to cheer him on.” he told the KRU portal.

India Rugby League format

The league will comprise of 6 teams namely: Mumbai dreamers, Kalinga Black Tigers, Delhi Redz, Bengaluru Brave hearts, Chennai Bulls and the Hyderabad Heroes.

Odongo will be in the Delhi Redz squad that will be coached by the New Zealand legend Tomasi Cama and he will be joined by the likes of, Jordan Conroy (Ireland), Matteo Grazziano (Argentina) and Alejandro Laforga (Spain).

Orther top names for the event include former Seven coach Mike Friday, Ben Gollings, DJ Forbes, Paco Hernandez and Tim Walsh who are set to coach the respective teams.

The Delhi Redz Squad – Matias Osadczuk (Argentina) Matteo Grazziano (Argentina) Alejandro Laforga (Spain) Patrick Odongo (Kenya), Jordan Conroy (Ireland),  Jordan Conroy (Ireland) Thomas Richards (Canada) Michael Coverdale (Hong Kong) Moritz Noll (Germany) Rajdeep Saha (West Bengal) Deepak Kumar Punia (Haryana) Mohit (Haryana) Sunil Chawan (Maharashtra) Raj Kumar (Rajasthan)