NAIROBI, Kenya, March 18 – Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) chairman Richard Omwela is confident the national 15s team can mirror the recent achievements of the national sevens side.
Omwela who is serving his third term as KRFU chairman believes that the Bamburi Supers Series is the perfect stage for players to showcase their talent at an elite level.
“We want too launch our campaign in the 15s just to show that this country has a lot of talent in terms of players who we want to showcase at the series,” said Omwela.
Omwela added that the series will be used to promote the International Rugby Board (IRB) Junior World Rugby Trophy that starts next month.
“We want to continue hyping the youth tournament that is going to be held on Kenyan soil for the first time. We are looking forward to their campaign and we hope they can win it,” said Omwela.
The national under 20 team selected last week will prepare for the tournament by taking part in the Chairman’s Cup under the ban of Chipu RFC.
The bulk of the side is made up of player who featured in last year’s under 20 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Tunisia.
Omwela was speaking on Wednesday when the franchises received their playing kit from title sponsors Bamburi Cement.
Bamburi marketing manager Caroline Ndungu praised the manner in which the tournament has grown since its inception seven years ago.
“This year the series is more unique because it’s bigger because we have eight teams and eight corporate sponsors on board,” said Ndungu.
Meanwhile, series chairman Aggrey Chabeda allayed fears that the changes in the rugby season would have on adverse effect on player form during the series.
Traditionally the Impala Floodlights has been used as testing ground for players hoping to be selected for the franchises.
“I think the adjustments made by the KRFU will result in a better flow of rugby throughout the season,” said Chabeda.
“In future we could have the Kenya Cup before the Super Series leading up to the internationals,” he added.
