Samurai get roasted: Fijian side receives Sh1.7 million windfalls to don Top Fry brand

Coach Sailosi Naitege (right) of Samurai team from Fiji during the team sponsorship event ahead of their participation in this weekend's Safaricom Sevens. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Fiji rugby team Samurai will bear a local brand on their kit after Top Fry agreed to sponsor them during this weekend’s Safaricom Sevens rugby tournament at Kasarani stadium.

Samurai were handed a sponsorship boost worth Sh1.7 million (USD 20,000) by Nakuru-based company Menengai Oil Refineries through their lead brand, Top Fry, which is a vegetable cooking oil.

The sponsorship also permitted the sponosrs to rename the team to Top Fry Samurai International RFC during the Safaricom Sevens tournament.

Onkar Rai, the Menengai Oil Limited CEO, said the sponsorship is in line with Top Fry’s brand commitment to nurturing sport and availing to the fans a sporting experience.

“We are excited for this opportunity to brand the match and leisure kits for the Samurai team. We are thrilled they are back in Kenya with great vigour and vitality, to show us what they are made of and we look forward to some entertaining rugby,” said Rai.

Cynthia Mumbo, Head of Marketing at Menengai Oil Refineries added: “Top Fry are big on sports activities in Kenya. We have invested in rallying, football, basketball and many more. We’d like to see many Kenyans adopt healthy lifestyles through sports.”

Samurai Chairman Terry Sands noted that it was a great surprise to the team that has unsuccessfully hunted for the Safaricom Sevens diadem for several years.

“We hope that this sponsorship will spur us to win this time round. We are well prepared for the tournament and the boys have overcome the jet lag following our arrival in Kenya on Tuesday afternoon,” said Sands.

Samurai team captain Waisale Dau said they are focused to lift the trophy.

“We are in great shape and we have covered all the techniques laid out in the fitness book,” he said.

Samurai players and officials took Top Fry U19 rugby squad to a coaching clinic yesterday morning at the United States International University grounds where the team was taught the basics skills apart from life lessons.

Concerning the Corporate Social Responsibility engagement, Samurai assistant coach David Dakultoga said: “The young players are sharp, they learn very fast and have a bright future.

“There is need for Kenyan corporates and the government to invest in young souls like these as they are the future of the country’s rugby. It will be my pleasure to meet them at IRB Sevens tournaments in the near future.”

Samurai have in their ranks a former Fijian international Sailosi Naitege as well as several players who have recently been called up to Ben Ryan’s Fiji Sevens training squad. These players include Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Mosese Mawalu, Sunia Vositaka.

Samurai: Semi Nakaira,Sunia Vositaka, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Mosese Mawalu, Sailosi Naitege,Waisale Dau Lagilagi, Peniona Saukuru, Jone Baleidama, Viliame Qiovula, Jone Tavaga, Kamineli Bogitini, Emosi Kuriyago.