Kenya Lionesses star lands in Japan for pro rugby
Janet Okello at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi before leaving for Japan on April 3, 2022.
What you need to know:
- Okello, who turns 30 on May 5, told Nation Sport that she will also enroll for Japanese classes for easy communication.
- “All players are from Japan except two players coming from Fiji and another one from New Zealand. I'll have to enroll for Japanese classes, so that I can be able to communicate with my new teammates,” said Okello, whose manager Irish-Fijian Linda Shannon is based in Fiji.
Kenya Lionesses star Janet ‘Shebesh’ Okello Monday arrived in Japan to start her new journey as a professional player for MIE Pearls Women’s Rugby Football Club.
She is the first Kenyan ever to sign for a Japanese rugby club.
“I have landed at Narita International Airport. They are very strict on wearing masks and follow all the checklists from the doctor. You have to have a Covid-19 certificate and also get tested for coronavirus when you arrive here. If you return a positive test, then you head into quarantine for one week,” said Okello, who joined the Yokkaichi-based side from newly-crowned Women’s Kenya Cup champions Mwamba on a one-year deal last month.
She left the country on Sunday night connecting via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Okello, who turns 30 on May 5, told Nation Sport that she will also enroll for Japanese classes for easy communication.
“All players are from Japan except two players coming from Fiji and another one from New Zealand. I'll have to enroll for Japanese classes, so that I can be able to communicate with my new teammates,” said Okello, whose manager Irish-Fijian Linda Shannon is based in Fiji.
On their website, Pearls have also signed Ayaka Akiyama, Wako Kitano, Nozomi Doi, Megumi Fukuzawa, Mizuki Furuya, Kyoko Hosokawa and Nozomi Watanabe for the new season.
