NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – Insurance company AON Minet are sponsoring next weekend’s Safaricom Sevens to the tune of Sh1 million.Chief executive Joe Onsando said on Thursday that the package was in tune with the company’s commitment to promoting rugby in the country and also provide necessary cover for the three day event.
“We are providing insurance that will cover public liability at the event and event cancellation insurance that will cater for contingencies such as postponement, cancellation, abandonment and relocation of the tournament,” said Onsando whose company is sponsoring the event for the fifth year in a row.
“Sports has proven to be the strong way to teach young people the principles of teamwork and to strive for excellence,” he added.
The tournament which is regarded as Africa’s premier sevens event will be held from June 4-6 at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) grounds.
Legendary New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is the guest of honour and Argentina, who are seventh on the IRB Sevens standings are expected to attend.
Meanwhile, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) secretary Frank Sabwa revealed that Morroco have pulled out of the tournament and will be replaced by Rwanda.
“We are also receiving word that Georgia may also pull out due to difficulty in finding sponsorship. If that happens, Kenya’s second team Shujaa are on standby,” said Sabwa.
Most of the teams are expected to arrive in the country on Thursday next week.
