Uganda ready for Kenya sides in 7s on the Nile tournament

By Johnson Were

Pool A: Athi River Stormers, Pirates, UCU and Jinja Hippos
Pool B: Buffaloes, Masaku, Rams and Boks
Pool C: Heathens, Sharks, Walukuba and Mbale Elephants
 
Despite Kenya teams being pre-tournament favourites because Kenya's dominance of 7s rugby in region, Uganda  rugby clubs are determined to turn tables in Good Friday's 7s on the Nile Rugby Tournament.

The Hima Cement Heathens representative Kiboko Squad, Pirates and Buffaloes will lead the Uganda teams in the battle to reclaim the title that was last year won by Kenya U- 19 development side.

According to Heathens coach Brian Tabaruka, his charges are just going for fan but are determined to keep the image of the club burning.

Fans will be out to have fun

"It is always a private arrangement for players to have fan and they are not there as Hima cement Heathens but as Kiboko squad but we optimistic they will keep our image clean," Tabaruka stated.

Pirates last year opted to start building a 7s team and will be out to gauge the ability of their side before the national sevens circuit.

Meanwhile  the national rugby governing body (URU) will use today's (Good Friday ) Sevens on the Nile rugby tournament at Dam Waterz grounds to assess and identify referees that will be trained in handling  sevens rugby.

URU training and education manager Robert Bwali disclosed this to New Vision yesterday in an interview.

Bwali said that whereas the tournament helps develop rugby in Jinja, it is also an avenue for referees to get more games to officiate and improve on their standards.

"We shall use this tournament to assess the referees and select those that can be trained to handle sevens rugby for further training," Bwali stated.

Bwali further explained that the tournament will also help in promotion of the area on top of inspiring the young generation to join the sport.

The tournament has attracted three teams from Kenya including Athi River Stormers from Nairobi, Masaku from Machakos and Sharks from Bungoma.

The trio will battle Uganda side that include, Heathens, Pirates, Buffaloes,Rams,Mbale Elephants, Walukuba,UCU and Jinja Hippos.

According to Bwali, after the group stages teams will be seeded again and the top 8 will qualify for the quarterfinal.
Kenya U-19 tournament that won last year's tournament did not honour this year's invitation.