The inaugural Kuza Kizazi Rugby 15s inter-university competition which was to kick off this weekend has been postponed indefinitely.
The Kuza Kizazi-sponsored competition had attracted 16 universities from across the country.
On Friday afternoon, Kuza Kizazi chief executive officer Wilfred Oyosi said the competition was postponed due to logistical issues and to allow the players be vaccinated against Covid-19. New kick-off dates will be announced in due course.
“All players taking part in the tournament must be vaccinated and all Ministry of Health Covid-19 containment measures will be followed once the tournament kicks off,” said Oyosi.
The tournament is aimed at promoting talent among the youth and instil a sense of hard work, discipline and teamwork.
Among teams to have confirmed participation are University of Nairobi, Strathmore University, Masinde Muliro University, Technical University of Kenya, Cooperative University, Kenyatta University, Technical University of Mombasa, Meru University, Egerton and Kabarak.
Others are Moi University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kisii University, University of Embu and Dedan Kimathi University.
The teams have been drawn in four groups. Group A has Masinde Murilo, Catholic University, Technical University of Kenya, University of Eldoret while Pool B has Kenyatta University, Egerton, JKUAT and DeKUT.
University of Nairobi headlines Pool 'C' alongside Meru University, Technical University of Mombasa and Cooperative University. Pool 'D' will have Moi University, Kisii University Strathmore and Kabarak.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi, Stephen Kiama said: “Universities have been associated with the development of Rugby in the country for many years. Most of the elite players in the national league are either former university or current university students. University teams, like Mean Machine, have continued to be part of the national success in the national Sevens team.”
Kuza Kizazi’s Managing Director, Philip Kabila said their vision is to encourage the youth to take up sports instead of relying on white-collar jobs for a living. He vowed to continue scouting and developing talents among the youth.
