By BS Mulavi

Nakuru, Kenya: All roads lead to Nakuru this weekend for the Annual Airtel Great Rift Ten a Side tournament.

Defending champions Strathmore RFC are confident of retaining their title in what they have come to consider as their ‘strong hold’.

Speaking to our sister publication Game Yetu head Coach Mitch Ocholla revealed they are aiming for their fifth straight title in the region’s most respected tournament.

“We have won the trophy on the past four occasions even though we have had to share it twice in those occasions,” he said.

Strathmore Leos last shared the trophy with the hosts in 2011 and Ocholla is adamant that they will not let a repeat of that situation occur, by ensuring like in 2012 they will scoop the title convincingly. The event organisers have also reassured fans that this year’s tournament will be strict on time and there will be no chance of darkness getting in the way of the finals.

The last game of the tournament is slotted for tomorrow at 5pm and all contenders should rest easy that they will get a chance to prove themselves in broad daylight.

Leos remain favourites given that they are the defending champions and have enjoyed a fantastic season in the Kenya Cup where they only missed the top slot by a whisker. The Enterprise Cup was not so good for the Leos but the Nakuru tens have always been a good hunting ground for the university students.

“Strathmore is a young club and when we started out back in 2005 we had very few numbers in training, which meant we had to concentrate on the shorter versions of the games namely sevens and tens,” said Ocholla.

Strathmore is bound to face some stiff competition from the hosts Nakuru who are also enjoying a dream season and are known to be formidable force on home ground, while teams like KCB and Mwamba will also be having their eyes on the crown.

Revised Draw

Pool A: Strathmore Leos, Eldoret, USIU, Masaku

Pool B: Menengai Oil Nakuru, KCA, Egerton, Kabianga

Pool C: Impala, KCB, Multimedia, Masinde Muliro

Pool D: Western Bulls, Homeboyz, Catholic, Webuye

Pool E: Mwamba, Mean Machine, Daystar, Technical University of Kenya

Pool F: Blak Blad,Lunch Bar Quins, Comras, Thika