NAIROBI, Kenya, February 24 – Three Bamburi Rugby Super Series matches could be staged in Kampala if Uganda confirms its participation in this year’s event.
Chairman of the series’ local organizing committee Aggrey Chabeda said on Tuesday that the Kampala matches are subject to various logistics being sorted out in time.
“Uganda this year has expressed very keen interest to join the series and our provisional timetable has them on board,” said Chabeda.
“There are a few issues which we need to resolve with them which we expect to do so within this week and then we will formally confirm their participation,” said Chabeda.
Matches have also been slated for Kisumu and Nakuru which will each host one match while Arusha will stage two games.
Chabeda also announced a couple of regulations relating to the composition of the teams that will feature it what has already become East Africa’s premier rugby event.
“We are going to ask each franchise to include two under 21 players in their match day 22,” said the former Kenya Rugby Football Union secretary general.
“Also they must have at least two players outside the Kenya Cup sides in the starting 22,” he added.
Chabeda was speaking at the launch of the tournament at the headquarters of title sponsor Bamburi Cement who have renewed their Sh9 million sponsorship.
Bamburi marketing director Robert Nyang’aya said his firm’s experience from the past four super series tournaments had inspired them to renew their title sponsorship package to ensure the sustenance and development of the popular game’s standard of play.
“The attributes of rugby such as strength, endurance and resilience are similar to those of our brands and make such sponsorships appealing to us,” said Nyang’aya.
Five local franchises and one Tanzanian outfit have already confirmed their participation in the event which will run from March 21 to April 18.
One match from each round will be broadcast live while the semi finals and final will be relayed live across the continent by South African sports network Supersport from the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) ground.
Meanwhile the national sevens rugby team for the World Cup will be named on Wednesday by coach Benjamin Ayimba.
The team which will meet former champions England, Tunisia and Hong Kong in Pool E of the tournament is scheduled to receive the national flag from President Mwai Kibaki on Friday.
Humphrey Kayange and company will be treated to a farewell dinner party on Saturday night before departing for Dubai the following day.
