All set for Great Rift-10-a-side tournament

From left: Nakuru RFC coach Simon Waruhi, Shabab MCA David Wathiai, Nakuru County Sports CECM Josephine Achieng, Nakuru RFC Chairman Ombui Ratemo and Great Rift-10-a--side Tournament Director Eddy Moseti during a press conference ahead at Nakuru Athletics Club on Wednesday, May 17,2023. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

For the first time, an eight to 12-team format has been introduced in the 30th edition of the Great Rift-10-a-side Championships to be held at Nakuru Athletic Club this weekend.

Eight teams have so far confirmed participation with four more expected to do so by Friday evening.

Hosts Nakuru RFC, defending champions Menengai Oilers, KCB and Mean Machine are among the first teams to confirm their participation.

Tournament director Eddy Moseti said they have been forced to conform to requirements by Kenya Rugby Union for a few teams to take part as the planned venue is also set to stage the Currie Cup match between Kenya Simbas and Zimbabwe on Saturday evening.

"We had to reduce the number of teams taking part in the Great Rift-10-a-side event to accommodate the Currie Cup match pitting Kenya against Zimbabwe as we'll only use one pitch on the first day. The main pitch has been reserved for the Currie Cup match," Moseti told reporters at the unveiling of the event attended by Kenya Simbas assistant coaches Curtis Olago and Carlos Kachwa.

Fixtures for the event will be released on Friday.

Olago said they are ready for a repeat of a similar performance against the Zimbabweans when they defeated them 36-14 at the same venue on September 21, 2019.

"We are ready for a similar past performance and the playing unit is beaming with confidence ahead of the big day as we try to rebuild a team for future international championships," he added.

Kenya Simbas will be using the Currie Cup as part of their preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup to be staged in Australia.

Kenya Simbas captain George Ambuja appealed for fans to turn out in large numbers and cheer them to victory.

"Great cheering from home fans is a sure motivation to our victory," he said.

Nakuru County are the main sponsors of the two-day competition.

Nakuru County CEC for Sports Josephine Atieno, who also graced the event, called on sportsmen and women to take advantage of the richness in talents in the county to promote sports tourism.

"As a county full of talents, we are here to promote sports tourism here and in the region so that the county is preferred as a prime sporting destination," she said.