Mwamba RFC withdraw from the final rugby leg in Kakamega as KBL dishes out sponsorship support
Nairobi-based rugby club Mwamba RFC have withdrawn from the much-awaited final leg of the ongoing local rugby circuit set to be staged in Kakamega this weekend.
According to the Driftwood sevens circuit winners, their withdrawal was to allow the team to mourn the demise of their team manager Stephanie-Rose Otieno.
Stephanie died in a vehicle accident on Monday, just after the Prinsloo 7s Tournament held by Nakuru RFC at Nakuru Athletic Club.
“Due to the tragic death of our TM AfrikanStar_ we’ve withdrawn from this weekend’s Kakamega7s. We thank teams, individuals and the wider rugby fraternity for their comforting words and encouragement. We wish Western Bulls and Official KRU a successful tournament,” Mwamba announced through their social media pages.
Mwamba had been pooled in Pool B alongside varsity side Strathmore Leos Catholic Monks, and Kisumu RFC.
Due to their withdrawal, Kulabu will have to settle for the 73 points accumulated in the previous legs played having won one cup title this season.
They defeated Menengai Oilers 21-7 in a tense final to win the Driftwood Sevens, the third competition on the National Sevens Circuit, held in Mombasa on June 19.
At the same time, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) through its flagship brand Tusker announced a Ksh. 2 million sponsorship boosts for the tournament.
The sponsorship follows the company’s previous involvement in the circuit having sponsored the last 5 legs (Kabeberi, Christie, Driftwood, Dala, and Prinsloo Sevens) with the same amount. This takes the company’s overall sponsorship for the Circuit to Ksh. 12 million.
“We are delighted to be heading to Kakamega this weekend for the final leg of this year’s National Sevens Circuit and KBL is happy to announce that we shall be sponsoring the tournament to the tune of Ksh. 2 million. This money is meant to support the event’s organisation to ensure its success and create a great experience for the fans,” Tusker Brand Manager Kilel Chepkemoi said.
Heading to the final leg the circuit has produced five different champions in the five legs already played.
Nakuru-based Menengai Oilers are in pole position heading into the final round of the 2022 circuit in Kakamega.
The well-oiled fast-rising youthful side had lost the Driftwood Sevens final to Mwamba and Dala Sevens final to Homeboyz but finally got the well-deserved win in front of their home fans.
The Oilers broke a five-match losing streak last weekend to beat Strathmore Leos 12-7 to win the fifth leg of the National Sevens Circuit at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
Courtesy of their maiden circuit cup title during the just concluded Prinsloo sevens in Nakuru the Gibson Weru-coached side upset champions KCB, going four points clear on 94 with Dennis Mwanja’s bankers sitting second on 90 points.
Strathmore Leos, losing finalists in last weekend’s Prinsloo 7s cup final are third on 85 points as Homeboyz (77 points) and Mwamba (73 points) close out the top five.
Kenya Rugby Union has since released the pools for the much-awaited Kakamega sevens with Oilers seeded first in Pool A alongside Masinde Muliro, Nondescripts, and Vihiga Granites.
Strathmore Leos, losing finalists last weekend in Nakuru, headline Pool B and will face Mwamba, Catholic Monks and Kisumu.
Homeboyz are top seeds in Pool C where they will face opposition from Kenya Harlequin, hosts Western Bulls, and Nakuru while reigning circuit champions KCB have to contend with Kabras Sugar, Impala, and Daystar Falcons in Pool D.
