France and Japan enter Safari Sevens

By B S MULAVI

France and Japan have confirmed participation in the Safari Sevens rugby tournament, while Fiji and Samoa are likely to make an appearance.

Speaking during a Sh26 million Tusker sponsorship for the event, Kenya Rugby Football Union chairman, Richard Omwela, said they expected to big teams. "We usually try every year to bring a new team to the tournament and this year is no exception. The union is trying to woo Argentina," said Omwela.

"We should reciprocate the favour they did to us when they knocked us out of the World Cup semi-finals in Dubai," joked Omwela.

"France and Japan have confirmed while we expect to see teams like Fiji and Samoa, who are yet to finalise details. However, our star team for the tournament will be Kenya who are flying high this season," he added.

Handed over

Mburu Karanja of East Africa Breweries, who handed over the cheque, said Sh20 million was to go to the Kenya Rugby Football Union and the rest for preparing the Tusker Village at the venue.

Omwela said extra money realised this season would be used to upgrade the seating capacity at the RFUEA grounds, the venue for the Safari Sevens. "The venue holds up to 15,000 fans, but we will expand it to 25,000 if time will be on our side," the chairman said.

"We will hold the schools and the veterans categories, but due to the current economical turmoil we have been forced to increase the ticket prices," he said.

On Friday, tickets will sell at Sh300, on Saturday and on Sunday Sh900. The season’s ticket Sh1500. The tournament will be held between June 19 and 21.