Kenya Women Rugby team is named

By Fred Maingi
The Kenya Women's Sevens team that will represent the country at the
C.A.R Sevens Rugby World Cup(RWC )2012 Qualifying tournament in Rabat,
Morocco has been
named.
 The tournament, which runs between September 29-30  serves as the
African qualifiers for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens slated for
Russia.
The team, coached by Kevin Wambua assisted by Enos Otieno and managed
by Doris Mwanzia with Ben Mahind as the physiotherapist departed
on tuesday(yesterday) and is  expected back in Nairobi on October 2nd.
The team comprises of Doreen Remour (Captain), Mary Otieno, Janet
Awuor, Mary Musieka, Celestine Navalayo, Irene Awino, Angela Olum,
Stacy Awuor, Rachel Odhiambo, Linda Nandwa, Catherine Abilla,
Philadelphia Olando
Camilyne Awuor, Adelaide Nasambu,and  Robina Wambui are the non
traveling players.
Captain Doreen Remour said," Morale is high in camp. We have trained
well and are waiting for the tournament's kick off. Early this year we
lost our captain, Abedeen Shikhoyi, and her wish was that we qualify
for the World Cup. I know the team will do its best and qualify for
the World Cup."
Speaking during the press briefing, Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Mwangi
Muthee said, " Women's rugby has come a long way, from the time these
girls played touch rugby at Mwamba. Now they are accomplished
internationals and I would like to say without batting an eyelid that
the Kenya women's sevens team is as competitive as the men's team. We
as the Kenya Rugby Union are putting a lot of emphasis on the women's
team."
"Women's rugby, boy's rugby, men's rugby are equal in the eyes of the
K.R.U. We are investing as much resources into girls' rugby just as we
are doing for boys' rugby. These girls have put in a lot of work and I
am confident that they have a real chance of winning in Morocco.I call
upon all Kenyans to support our girls as they head to Morocco.I am
sure they are going to bring the same glory that the men's team has
brought to this country``.

Meanwhile Airtel Kenya has announced its sponsorship of Kshs 4,000,000 for this
year’s Impala Rugby Floodlit tournament which will be held at the
Impala Club grounds for a duration of 3 weekends on October 6th, 13th
and 20th 2012.
The competitive event will bring together eight invited club sides,
eight school teams as well as eight university teams from all over the
country.
Speaking during the sponsorship cheque presentation held  at the
Impala Grounds in Nairobi, Airtel Kenya chief operating officer Mr.
Shivan Bhargava reiterated his company’s commitment to the promotion
of sports in Kenya going on to say that “We are committed to
supporting the development of sports in the country and we will be
supporting more sporting initiatives so as to expose and nurture
talent among the youth.”
Mr. Bhargava added that his Company is delighted to have the
opportunity to offer fans the opportunity to enjoy their favorite
sport while accessing free airtime to the value of the entry ticket,
enabling them to connect with their friends and family during and
after the games. He also explained that the Company will set up
exclusive Airtel customer service and sales points at the games venue.
Speaking that same occasion when receiving the check, the Chairman of
the Impala Rugby Football Club Mr. Oduor Gangla expressed his delight
at the offer from Airtel appealing to more organizations to join in
the promotion of the event to cater for more teams and better quality
of the games in the future.
Mr. Gangla said the tournament will kick off on Saturday with a
secondary schools competition that has attracted a total of eight
schools led by Rugby powerhouses Mangu, Nairobi School, Alliance and
Lenana High Schools. Defending champions Mean Machine will lead the
way in the clubs.
The 2012 edition will be a 24 team event just as in the last two
year’s. The winners of this tournament will bag KES 200,000 in Prize
money.
The Impala Rugby floodlit tournament turns 30 years this year and is
the most successful local rugby competition to be held in the country.
The tournament is expected to attract more than 12,000 rugby
enthusiasts from all over the country to this country."