RUGBY: Nile Special 7s to kick off this weekend

PEPPER SPORTS: The 2022 Nile Special 7s will kick off on Saturday at Kings Park Arena, Bweyogerere in Wakiso District. The series was launched on Wednesday at the same venue.

After the cancellation of the Mileke 7s which was scheduled for this weekend at Legends Grounds in Kampala, the series opener was shifted to Kings Park Arena and it’s dubbed the Wakiso 7s and will run for two days, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th.

Tournament Director, Robert Bwali said that the 2022 season will have seven legs played in various parts of the country but concentrating around the central region. Upcountry events will be played in one day (Saturdays) while central region (Kampala) events will be played in two days (Saturday and Sunday).

“In one-day events, we shall have 12 teams, that is 10 core teams and two invitational teams while in two-day events we shall have 16 teams where six invitational teams will join 10 core sides,” Bwali said.

Nile Special’s John Paul Ssemakula rallied fans and revellers to turn up in big numbers to cheer their respective clubs as they also have fun.

“The 7s have that carnival feel to them that as a brand we shall seek to tap into to give fans a memorable 7s series. There will be lots of promotions and artistes to ensure while the major business continues of pitch, the lighter business off it is also covered. We also promise a fans’ experience like no other,” Ssemakula said.

“While we celebrate the 7s Rugby Cranes, we urge all fans to turn for the 7s series to watch the next big stars in action. This is where future rugby cranes stalwarts get to sharpen their skills,” he added.

After the Wakiso 7s, the series will head to Entebbe the following weekend. Initially, the second leg was scheduled to be held in Mbale but the Eastern district has been declared a disaster area following flash floods that hit the area recently. This was revealed by Chairperson Nile Special 7s, Erasmus Aredo.

Uganda Rugby Union Chief Technical Officer, Ramsey Olinga during the launch of the series said that relevant individuals at URU will work on a way forward to conduct a CSR activity for Mbale.

However, five more legs will be played later after a one-week break after the conclusions of Entebbe event. Arua, kings Park, Fort Portal, Jinja and Kyadondo will host the other circuits.

Meanwhile, the women’s version of the Nile Special 7s started a while ago. Games are played at regional level but the finale will happen in Kampala.

Kobs are the defending champions of the 7s series.