*Undated
Uganda emerged as the first team to confirm participation for this weekend's Safari Sevens tournament at the Nyayo National Stadium. In doing so, both the men and women’s teams have unveiled their squads and also preparation as they wait eagerly to showcase a masterpiece.
"The boys have prepared well and we have named a strong side that should be able to perform well at the tournament. We have blended the team with youth and experience," Uganda 7's (men) head coach Tolbert Onyango said. Uganda will be captained by Ian Munyani as they go out to play teams including Spain and Germany. According to the Kenya Rugby Union, 12 men's teams and six women's sides have confirmed their participation.
The Ugandan squad includes Kevin Balagadde, Innocent Gwoktho, Nobert Okeny, Adrian Kasito, Ivan Otema, Timothy Kisiga, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Karim Arinaitwe, Byron Oketayot, Ian Munyani, Levis Ocen, and Denis Etwau Enditem.
The Lady Cranes will join Zimbabwe, South Africa and Kenya, who will field two teams in the event. Kenya Rugby Union chairman Oduor Gangla said the two-day rugby extravaganza will have 12 teams split into pools of three. "We are expecting a competitive tournament now that we have the 12 sides confirmed for the men's competition and five for the women,” added Gangla. The women's event will be played in a round-robin format.
Age grade and vets rugby will finally get the event underway on Friday 29. The age grade competition will feature action in the U12 and U14 mixed tag rugby categories. Pool A in the U12 category comprises Little Princes, Ole Polos, Bulbul and St. Austin’s while Pool B has Jamhuri, Eagles Ruaka, Creima and Kibera Golden Stars. Eagles Racecourse, Central, Matasia and Nanyuki make up Pool C with Happy Time Runda, Mukuru, Shamas and Runda rounding off Pool D.
Christco, Ngong, Oloishobor and Shamas make up Pool A of the U14 competition with Central, Runda, Mukuru and Kibera Golden Stars competing in Pool B as Toi Primary, Bulbul, Ngong and Nanyuki grouped together in Pool C. Matasia, Kitengela, St. Austin’s and Runda are in Pool D of this competition. Meanwhile, the veterans competition which is open to players aged 35 and above has six teams split into two pools of three. Pool A features Mwamba, KCB and Blak Blad while Pool B consists of Nondescripts, Kenya Harlequin and BATUK.
They will begin their fixtures at 2.00pm with the top two sides in each group at the close of pool play advancing to the semifinal. The final is slated for 5.20pm. Hosts Kenya will be represented by Shujaa, defending champions Kenya Morans, Kenya Under 20 and local side KCB who won the National Sevens Circuit. Shujaa resumed training last week and head coach Innocent Simiyu said the event will be a big boost for the team's preparations for the start of the World Sevens Series in Dubai in a month's time.