From bad to worse news for rugby fans as the Great Rift 10 aside tournament to be a one day-affair this weekend
The Great Rift 10 aside tournament will be happening this weekend in Nakuru.
For the first time in three decades, history will be made on Saturday as the highly anticipated Great Rift 10 side matches will all be played on one day.
Instead of the previously announced date of April 12-14, the matches will be played on the 13th.
Since 1991, rugby enthusiasts have flocked to the Nakuru Athletics Club (NAC) to enjoy a weekend of rugby action thanks to such kind of sporting events organised by the Nakuru RFC.
But now rugby fans will have to make do with a one-day experience of Action Pact games, Kupiga Sherehe after-parties that always end in good vibes and Inshallah.
According to tournament director Kevin Rodrigues, the decision to play all the matches in one day was made because they were unable to secure a main sponsor for the event.
"It is unfortunate that we have to hold the event in one day this year, but the club is working to make the tournament bigger and better next year. We want to move it back to the Easter break and have a full weekend of rugby. We are already looking for sponsors to make the 2025 event possible," said Rodrigues.
He says the tournament will have a 16-team format and more than 10 teams have already confirmed their participation, including defending champions KCB Rugby, Menengai Oilers, Kabras, Kenya Harlequins, Strathmore Leos, Kabarak Rugby, Molo Rugby, Nandi Bears, Egerton Rugby, Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and the National Youth Service (NYS).
Rugby fans have already expressed their disappointment over the matter. Chris Ngotho, a rugby fan, notes that the 10 aside is an annual tournament that he always looks forward to.
However, he feels that a one-day tournament will not be able to satisfy his year-long wait for the tournament.
"10 aside means two days of rugby action and an evening of sherehe at the NAC and entertainment venues in Nakuru. Last year, the tournament returned after a three-year hiatus, which made me very happy. Hosting an international match also made it great. My hope is that we can bring the event back over the Easter weekend and have at least two days of exciting rugby matches," said Ngotho.
Shabab Area MCA David Wathiaia, a committee member of the RFC, says the club has suffered a major blow in terms of sponsorship as the preferred dates of the 10 aside tournament usually clash with those of the World Rally Championship (WRC), resulting in potential sponsors preferring the Safari Rally.
However, he notes that they are looking forward to a discussion with the Nakuru County government and its leadership, including Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, to see how the club can be supported in future tournaments.
Nakuru RFC has hosted international teams through its 10 side tournaments in the 90s, including the Uganda national rugby team, Zambia and Hibernians, as well as the 2023 Currie Cup match between Kenya and Zimbabwe.