By Mahlon Lichuma Asava
The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has released the Rugby 7s circuit calendar that has confirmed the inclusion of Eldoret in the series.
According to the calendar, Eldoret will host the first leg opener of the national seven series which will be played between June 24 and 25.
Eldoret is expected to provide a fresh and exciting atmosphere for Rugby fans as they host the circuit which is also a major highlight in the Kenya Rugby calendar.
It will further be a return of the rugby fever to the city of champions after over five years hiatus.
The last time Eldoret hosted a Rugby 7s series was in 2018 – then dubbed ‘Sepetuka sevens’.
The circuit tends to attract a large following across the country as the competition provides a platform for players to showcase their skills and compete for a chance to represent the National Sevens team in international competitions.
A week later, the series will head to Kisumu for the Dala Sevens while the third series, Driftwood Sevens, set for Mombasa between July 8 and 9.
Preparations for the Sevens series
The circuit will then take a one-month break and resume on August 5-6 with the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru.
The Christie Sevens leg is slated for August 12-13 at the RFUEA Ground with Kabeberi Sevens concluding the season on August 19-20.
Menengai Oilers are the defending champions having bagged 113 points last year after winning the Prinsloo leg and finishing runners-up in four tournaments.
“We have started our preparations for the Sevens series. It’s going to be very competitive now that established teams like KCB, Strathmore Homeboyz and Mwamba are all interested. We must stay ahead of them,” said Gibson Weru, Oilers head coach.
It is expected that the circuit will provide a hunting ground for Shujaa technical bench, especially after the emergence of Oilers’ Dennis Abukuse as well as Strathmore Leos’ George Ooro and Brunson Madigu last season.
Dates, venues for 2023 National 7s Circuit
- 24/25 June – Eldoret
- 1/2 July – Dala 7s Kisumu
- 8/9 July – Driftwood 7s Mombasa
- 5/6 Aug – Prinsloo 7s Nakuru
- 12/13 Aug-Christie 7s RFUEA
- 19/20 Aug – Kabeberi 7s RFUEA
[…] Rugby 7s Series Returns To Eldoret after 5 Years Hiatus […]