KCB Rugby Club secretary general Bernard Itebete presents a rugby ball to MET 7s tournament director Collins Nabiswa at KCB Sports Club/HANDOUT
KCB Rugby Club coach Andrew Amonde has challenged his side to deliver a strong performance at the MET 7s scheduled for Saturday at the KCB Sports Club in Nairobi as preparations for the upcoming National Sevens Circuit gather momentum.
The Kenya Rugby Union-sanctioned tournament has attracted 16 teams divided into four pools. KCB have been drawn in Pool A alongside Homeboyz RFC, Kabete Stallions and JKUAT Cougars in what is expected to be one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
Amonde believes the tournament will provide a crucial test for the reigning national sevens champions ahead of the new campaign. “It will be an eye-opener on what to expect. We have had a solid eight weeks of pre-season, and now it is about putting the players on the field and seeing how they handle the pressure of sevens,” said Amonde.
“We are left with about two weeks to finalise our preparations, and we know every team will want to beat us, so we must stay ahead of the pack and come up with new tricks if we are to defend our title,” he added.
Pool B features Daystar Falcons, KU Blak Blad, Makueni Ravens and USIU Eagles, while Pool C comprises Catholic Monks, Zetech Oaks, National Youth Service and Mean Machine RFC. Pool D brings together Kenya Harlequin FC, Mwamba RFC, Stingerz RFC and Northern Suburbs RFC, setting the stage for an exciting day of sevens rugby.
KCB Rugby Club vice-chairperson Brian Mwita said the tournament continues to play an important role in the development of rugby in the country. “The KCB MET 7s represents our commitment to the growth of rugby in Kenya by creating opportunities for players across all levels to compete on one platform. As a club, we are excited to support this initiative once again while using it to sharpen our squad ahead of what promises to be a highly competitive National Sevens Circuit,” said Mwita.
Now entering its fifth edition, the tournament was launched in 2022 through the vision of Stingerz RFC to bridge the gap between grassroots rugby and elite competition. Since then, it has steadily expanded its footprint, attracting participation from clubs across the country while earning recognition from key rugby stakeholders, including the Kenya Rugby Union and Rugby Africa.
Tournament director Collins Nabiswa said the competition has become an important pathway for identifying emerging rugby talent. “Our vision has always been to create a sustainable pathway where young players can compete alongside established talent and gain the experience needed to progress to higher levels of the game. The partnership with KCB Rugby Club has significantly enhanced the tournament’s impact, allowing us to deliver an event that not only entertains but also contributes meaningfully to the growth of rugby in Kenya,” said Nabiswa. “We expect an exciting tournament this weekend and welcome rugby fans to be part of the experience.”
