Masaku tourney all set to score a first in Eastern

• Inaugural tournament in Machakos next month will take rugby to region

All is set for the inaugural Masaku Sevens tournament that is due August 4 to 5 at Masaku Rugby Park at Machakos Golf Club.

Mark Ndetto, a member of the tournament’s organising committee, disclosed on Sunday that invitations have been sent out to clubs and institutions of higher learning.

Coming just a weekend before the start of the National Sevens Circuit in Nairobi, Masaku, which will feature 16 teams, has the backing of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), Ndetto said.

It is part of the initiative by an 11-man committee to start rugby activities in Eastern region that will eventually lead to the formation of Machakos Rugby Football Club which shall competitively feature in KRU leagues, he added.

“We realised that the area has been without (rygby) action for many decades yet there is potential and massive interest,” Ndetto said. “Our long-term plan is for the team to play in Kenya Cup, and the proximity to Nairobi will hasten things.”

Saying the future of rugby looked bright in Machakos going by the keen interest of the local business community, he indicated that the event will first feature clubs only, with a schools category to be incorporated next year.

“However, we have invited a few celebrities who will play tag rugby besides taking part in community service responsibility,” said Ndetto, adding that former Kenya Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba has been appointed the tournament director.