Preparations for Inaugural Maasai Sevens tourney in top gear

Preparations for the inaugural Maasai Sevens rugby tournament are almost complete ahead of its kick off set for July 23-24 at the Champagne Park, Kipeto Village in Kiserian, Kajiado County.

Themed, 'rugby fun in the wild' and with Kenya Sevens player Biko Adema as its ambassador, the 12 teams tournament is geared towards promoting the game and giving fans a treat.

Nine teams have so confirmed their participation in the Main Cup of the Highlands sponsored tournament that will be launched next week.

Recently crowned Masaku Sevens champions Homeboyz RFC headlines the top clubs that will battle for first place prize money of Sh 300,000.

Others are host club Comras, University of Nairobi's Mean Machine, Webuye, Bungoma, Kajiado Combined, Kilunda, Kweya and Laiser Hill.

Mwamba, Nondescript and Kenya Harlequin are the three Kenya Cup teams that are yet to confirm their participation.

In an interview with Feverpitch, the tournament's Director Benjamin Osore affirmed confidence in hosting a successful event.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA (SOUTH AFRICA OUT) Biko Adema of Kenya during fixture 30 between New Zealand and Kenya during day 2 of the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on December 08, 2013 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

"We have left no stones unturned in our preparations and we expect to have a better tournament. We expect a good turn out on and off the pitch," said Osore.

"We are setting up players' village where they will camp as well as the fans' camping site. To spice up the event, we have invited a number of local artists."

The winners will take home Sh 300,000, while first and second runners up will get Sh 150,000 and Sh 75,000 respectively.

The Plate winners will get Sh 40,000, Sh 15,000 more than Bowl winners as Shield winners pocket Sh 10,000.

In the individual category, the MVP and top try scorer will walk away with Sh 10,000 each. Tickets are already out for sale going for Sh 500 each.

Meanwhile, two curtain raisers are planned for the Kenya Simbas home clash against Uganda Cranes in Nairobi on July 30. The Rugby Afrique Division 1A encounter will also double up as the Elgon Cup return leg.

Chipu, the Kenya U19 national squad will face off against their Ugandan counterparts, the Baby Cranes with Nairobi School and Lenana squaring it off in the day's opening fixture at the RFUEA Grounds.