NOWHERE TO RUN: Inter-University Sevens get underway at RFUEA grounds as 12 varsities battle for honours

JKUAT Cougar's Kevin Onino(L) shield the ball against Steven Odhiambo of Kenyatta University Black Blad during Inter Universities Impala Floodlight semi finals at Impala ground, Nairobi on Saturday 18/10/14. KU won 29-12.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

With the Kenya Cup taking a back seat this weekend, rugby action shifts to the Kenya University Sevens tournament at the RFUEA grounds.

Twelve universities will today battle for the crown as Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) looks to select teams for the World University Games slated for August next year in Gwangju, South Korea.

The teams have been pooled into three groups of four, with Kenya Cup sides Pan Africa Strathmore Leos, Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad and University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine being picked as top seeds.

Strathmore will meet Catholic University, South Eastern Kenya University and Moi University in Pool A, while Mean Machine are in Pool B alongside Daystar University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and United States International University - Africa (USIU).

Kenyatta University tops Pool C, which also has Meru University, Egerton University and Mt. Kenya University.

Top teams in each group will qualify for the main cup semi-finals. Teams occupying fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth positions will proceed to the plate semifinals, with the last four qualifying for the bowl semis.

Tournament director Paul Odera says he has been impressed with the preparations and is confident of hosting a successful event.

“I have been impressed with support from Kusa and universities too. It’s the first edition and we expect to see an exciting game with plenty of skills. I am optimistic it will be a success,” said Odera.

The overall winner will take home Sh150,000, with the losing finalist bagging Sh75,000.

Two-year deal

Meanwhile, Shujaa will kick-off their Confederation of African Rugby Sevens title defence today at 10:10am with a clash against Namibia, in Harare Zimbabwe.

The Gibson Weru-trained side will then face hosts Zimbabwe at 12:40am before locking horns with Nigeria at 2:30pm, then play Uganda at 5:40pm. The homeboys will wrap up their Group B fixtures with a game against Ivory Coast tomorrow at 11:10am.

At the same time, Kenya Cup side Strathmore Leos will be renamed to Pan Africa Strathmore Leos after landing a two-year Sh8 million sponsorship deal from Pan Africa Asset Management.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, acting Pan Africa Group CEO Stephen Kamanga, assured his company’s commitment to support the university.

“We are cementing a partnership with Strathmore University that will not only see us support development of rugby among young people, but also unveil the business potential that exists untapped between the two entities,” said Kamanga.

Pan Africa Asset Management CEO Kennedy Muriithi wished the scholars all the best in their matches.