Cranes Rugby 7s squad bids farewell

PHOTO: Obua (in tie) takes a team with national rugby 7s team at Lugogo

Sports state minister Hamson Obua has bid farewell to the Cranes Rugby Sevens team that departs for South America on Sunday for the inaugural World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.

The Challenger series includes three tournament events in 2020 and has 16 national teams competing.

The first two events are played in South America before the third and final event is hosted as part of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, featuring only the top 8 teams in the standings.

Obua flags off the national rugby team at Lugogo

The final leg in Hong Kong has a playoff format, with the winner gaining promotion to the World Rugby Sevens Series for the 2020-21 season.

Uganda is in Group D with Italy, Germany and Paraguay.

Obua hailed the sport and said rugby was one of the priority sports identified by the government because of the pride it has given to Uganda.

 Obua catches the ball after being flagging off the national sevens team at Lugogo Kyadondo Rugby Club. PHOTOS: Silvano Kibuuka

"You will be among thoseto receive over sh1b in annual funding if the money is available. I will also make sure you meet the President on a separate arrangement," the minister told the players.

He handed over the national flag to team captain Michael Okorach who also gave him a rugby ball as a souvenir.The two legs of the Challenger Series will be played in Viña del Mar, Chile on February 15 and 16, and Montevideo, Uruguay on February 22 and 23