SHOWDOWN LOOMS: Stage set for tomorrow's Watamu Beach Rugby kick off

Wilfred Mutua of Comras High School is tacked by Dennis Chimamai of Muvuti high School during the 3rd edition of Masaku sevens schools category rugby match at Kenyatta Stadium on 26th June 2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

The stage is set for the kick off of Watamu Beach Rugby at Garoda Beach tomorrow.

Event coordinator Noni Mbuggus confirmed yesterday that already 12 teams from Nairobi, Machakos, South Coast and Mombasa will be in action.

Noni said Masaku Rugby Sevens squad arrived in Watamu on Monday to acclimatise ahead of the kick off.
The event starts with schools tournament that has attracted four teams in the morning. Nairobi select take on their Mombasa Select side in the afternoon.

Proper action starts on Friday in the event sponsored by the Standard Group, Airtel,

Nakumatt, Garoda Resort, Kobe Suite Resort, Farmer’s Choice and the County of Kilifi.

Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi will grace the five-a-side tournament. At the same time, plans to establish a rugby academy in Watamu in Kilifi County are in top gear. Former Kenya Sevens rugby coach, Benjamin Ayimba said this will boost the development of the sport in the county.

“I have been championing for the development of rugby at the grassroot and I’m happy that a new rugby academy in Kilifi is in the offing,” said Ayimba. The academy is set to be opened in November.

The former coach spoke during the launch of the Watamu Beach rugby at Garoda Beach Resort.

The event was graced by the event’s organising committee co-ordinator Noni, Masaku Rugby Club Patron Tony Ndetto and the club coach Jason Hammond, Kilifi County Tourism Minister Alphonce Tokali and Tourism Director Naftali Kombo.

Ayimba said the purpose of the event is to sensitise the community, especially the youth the importance of rugby.

“Rugby is about respect of rule, respect of authority, respect of difference, respect of opponents, team work, solidarity discipline,” said Ayimba.

Tokali commended the organisers for their vision and pledged the county’s total support of the festival.

He said the festival will be used to expose the youth to the sport. With the launch of the rugby academy. He added: “The festival will indeed promote Watamu and Kilifi County  and open doors for sports tourism,” said Tokali.

Guido Bertoni of Garoda Beach Resort, the major sponsor of the event said the festival will market Watamu as a tourism destination especially to the domestic market.

He said he will support the development of rugby in Watamu adding that the festival will bring people from far and wide to sample a taste of the delights of Watamu which is rated sixth best beach in the world.

“We want to promote beach sports and that is why we have decided to sponsor the beach rugby before venturing in to other sports,” said Bertoni.

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