Preparations for the 56th edition of the annual Christie 7s rugby tournament are in top gear, with organizers expressing confidence of a successful tournament.
The tournament which is hosted by Kenya Harlequin is the fourth of six tournaments in the 2023 National Sevens Circuit and is set to be held this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, at RFUEA Grounds, Nairobi.
Speaking during a media briefing at RFUEA Grounds on Tuesday, the Tournament’s Director Nekesa Were said; “We are very excited to be hosting the oldest Sevens Tournament as it reaches its 56th edition. Rugby is a sport that combines strength, strategy and sportsmanship and we strive to provide an excellent platform for teams and fans to come together and celebrate this beautiful game. Preparations for the tournament are in top gear and we are looking forward to some unforgettable moments and unforgettable matches,” said Nekesa.
The tournament received sponsorship from Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its flagship brand Tusker, who announced a sponsorship of Sh2 million. Commenting on the sponsorship, Lennox Mwalea, Tusker Brand Ag. Marketing Manager said that KBL has been a perennial sponsor of the national Sevens circuit in the past and is delighted to be partnering with Christie Sevens.
“As KBL we are delighted to once again renew our association with Kenyan rugby which has for a long time now been a key platform that brings people together and allows us to interact with our consumers. Towards this end, through our Tusker brand, we have committed Sh2 Million towards supporting this year’s tournament. This tournament has always been a huge part of the Kenyan rugby calendar and we are therefore happy to lend our support. We are hopeful of a great rugby weekend and wish all the participating clubs all the best,” said Mwalea.
Kenya Harlequins Chairman Victor Sudi said; “We are delighted to have Tusker on board as our sponsors for this year’s Christie Sevens. Tusker has been a long-time supporter of this tournament and this sponsorship speaks to the brand’s continued commitment to the growth of the sport in the country. We appreciate this sponsorship which will go a long way towards ensuring we have a successful event, and fans can be assured of a fun, and memorable tournament this weekend,” said Sudi.
First played in 1964, Christie Sevens is an institution on the local sevens circuit calendar. In this year’s edition, sixteen teams will compete in the Men’s Division One, twenty-four in Division Two, and six in the Women’s Division.
