THE 2019 KABEBERI RUGBY SEVENS SET FOR MERU COUNTY

First played in 1999,The National Sevens Circuit is an annual series of  rugby sevens tournaments run by the Kenya Rugby Union in conjunction with host clubs featuring teams from across the country. Teams compete for the National Sevens Circuit title by accumulating points based on their finishing position in each tournament. The season’s circuit currently comprises 6 tournaments in 6 cities and towns across Kenya.

For the first time ever,  the National Sevens Circuit will award prize money. The teams that win a leg of the circuit will pocket Sh500,000 with the runner up going home with Sh200,000 and the third finalist taking 150,000 in the Division One category. In Division 2, champions and runners-up will claim Sh150,000 and Sh50,000 respectively.

Kinoru Stadium, Meru town will host Kabeberi Sevens under Mwamba RFC’s. Kabeberi 7s tournament Director Humphrey Kayange says they settle for Meru since the team has huge support in the area and the region has not witnessed top-flight rugby for a long time. The Kenya 7s legend believes Meru will be an interesting place to have the tournament.

“Meru is an interesting choice of venue. We have huge support in the region and there’s a community hungry for top-class rugby action in the area. We did not hesitate to settle on it as our 2019 venue for this great tournament,” he added.

Mwamba RFC officials met Meru County Governor Kiraitu Murungi a month ago and the County pledged to support the tournament fully.

“We have already met the governor Hon Kiraitu Murungi and he has assured us full support for the tournament. Apart from provision of the stadium, we will work with the county team on other logistics such as accommodation and travel arrangements. We will be making exciting news very soon over the same,” he added.

The team will hold several clinics in the region as part of their Community Social Responsibility initiative in conjunction with their sponsors Stanbic. This investment in the tournament is aligned to the continuous pursuit of promoting a homegrown agenda through people and rugby.

“We will have rugby clinics with at least eight schools in the region. Our ladies team will also conduct a clinic with the sole girls school in the region that plays rugby. We hope to inspire a new generation of rugby players from Meru region,”  Mwamba Director of Rugby Edwin Waita said.

Kabeberi will be the second leg of the 2019 7s Circuit.