By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The penultimate leg of the 2023 National Sevens Circuit – Tisap Rugby is set to be held this weekend at the Eldoret Sports Club.
The highly anticipated tournament has received a significant boost after Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) through its Tusker brand announced a Sh1.5 million sponsorship.
The sponsorship follows the company’s involvement in previous tournaments in the circuit, having supported Dala, Driftwood, Prinsloo, and Christie Sevens. This takes the company’s overall sponsorship for the Circuit to Sh11.5 million.
Like in the previous tournaments, KBL has secured the rights to be the event’s Official Alcohol Beverage partner, and will also sponsor the event’s after-party.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Tusker Brand Acting Marketing Manager Lennox Mwalea said;
“We are delighted to be heading to Eldoret this weekend for the fifth leg of this year’s National Sevens Circuit. Once again, we are happy to announce that we shall be sponsoring the tournament to the tune of Ksh. 2 million. This sponsorship is meant to support the event’s organization to ensure its success and create a great experience for the fans. This is in line with our continued efforts to support the sport of rugby in the country which we have been involved in for a very long time now,” said Mwalea.
“This has been such an incredible Circuit that has no doubt lived up to its expectations so far. We, therefore, look forward to the event and urge rugby fans from the larger North Rift region to come out in their numbers to cheer on their teams and enjoy the experience,” he added.
On his part, Eldoret RFC Chairman, Edwin Endonyi, expressed his gratitude to KBL for their generous support saying, “We are immensely grateful to Tusker for their valuable contribution to Tisap Rugby which will go a long way in ensuring the tournament is a success. We welcome a lot more of these partnerships, not only for this tournament but for the long term. We look forward to working closely with Tusker to ensure the success of the tournament,” said Endonyi.
The pools for the tournament have already been confirmed. With Kabras Sugar leading arch rivals KCB by just two points in the standings, it promises to be a thrilling weekend of sevens rugby as the quest to be crowned Kenya’s club sevens champions in 2023 goes a notch higher.
KCB, winners of the Christie 7s just over a fortnight ago play out of Pool A that also features Blak Blad, Homeboyz and Mombasa.
Strathmore Leos, losing finalists at the RFUEA Ground headline Pool B and will contend with the challenge from defending circuit champions Menengai Oilers, Catholic Monks and Masinde Muliro.
Circuit leaders Kabras Sugar have Kenya Harlequin, Daystar Falcons and Kisumu to deal with in Pool C while Nakuru lead the charge in Pool D which also features Mwamba, Nondescripts and the University of Eldoret Trojans who will be playing in the top tier in their home town.
