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Maik Kwambo

With the conclusion of the IRB Sevens World Series in the next few weeks and the attention the inaugural National Sevens Series in the UK will receive, it is important to remember other prestigious tournaments fast approaching. 

It is set to be a busy period for the Kenya team who upon concluding their IRB Sevens duties will be straight into the defense of their Safaricom Sevens title on 4-6 June at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi.

What began fourteen years ago with a small band of rugby enthusiasts has grown into Africa’s premier Rugby Sevens tournament.

Importantly it gives the hordes of passionate and fervent Kenyan fans a chance to see their sevens heroes in the flesh. It makes for a unique atmosphere that has attracted teams from across Africa and the globe in years gone by.

Safari Sevens through the years

In 1996, with a sizeable crowd at the spiritual home of African Sevens Rugby, it was the Public Schools Wanderers from England who were crowned the inaugural Safari Sevens Champions with a 40-15 win over Zimbabwe.

Hosts Kenya won the Plate with a 38-12 win over Uganda while another English side Cumbria beat the second string Kenyan side, Shujaa 29-10 to claim the Bowl.

This tournament was memorable for the big names it attracted including Welsh international Colin Charvis and 1995 Rugby World Cup winner Chester Williams of South Africa who was the tournament’s chief guest. Williams of course went on to coach the Boks Sevens team.

By 2008, the tournament had attracted the likes of sevens powerhouses Fiji and Samoa as well as the Fijian master of sevens rugby, the now retired Waisale Serevi. Indeed the Safari Sevens has grown in stature, rightfully claiming its place as Africa’s premier Rugby Sevens tournament.

New developments each year, including top-class entertainment and an ever-expanding rugby village, ensures the tournament will remain one of Africa's top sporting and social events well into the future.

Last year saw the Kenyans stun Samurai International in the semi-finals (24-0) before proving too clinicial and polished for a very talented Emerging Boks side in the final.

Expectation will again be rife for them to win again in 2010. But what else can we expect from this year’s event?

Safaricom Sevens 2010

The Safari Sevens is still alive albeit under a different name, the Safaricom Sevens, a change that came about after communications firm Safaricom became the tournament’s title sponsors.

The Safaricom Sevens 2010 promises to be a successful and high quality tournament. Along with Kenya, last year’s World Cup runners-up star Argentina will descend upon Africa. The Emerginf Boks are back along with France’s Les Bleus under the tutelage of Giancarlo Toufou.

Then there is Georgia, Ponsdby of New Zealand as well as African sides Zimbabwe, Uganda and Morocco. An intriguing blend of sides.

It is part of a deliberate effort to showcase first class rugby to the thousands of enthusiastic fans expected to flock to the RFUEA grounds from 4-6 June. The presence of New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tiejtens, who will be the tournament’s star guest, is further testament to this.

While the participating teams will benefit from playing high quality matches, the fans also stand to benefit. The rehabilitation of the RFUEA grounds have seen the construction of new stands, capable of seating an additional 1,500 fans, providing a bigger and better setting for one of the region’s greatest sporting and social events of the year.

Families have not been left out either with the setting up of a family corner to enable them comfortably catch all the action with minimum fuss.

Media interest

Leading satellite television broadcaster SuperSport will air the proceedings live, showcasing Africa’s premier sevens tournament to millions of viewers on the African continent.

Terrestrial broadcaster K24 will also beam the matches live, bringing the game into the living rooms of millions of Kenyans, further raising the profile of Kenya’s fastest growing sport.

In its quest to leave a legacy, hosts Kenya will lead teams participating in the tournament in conducting coaching clinics that will see them impart various rugby tips to budding players.

Match officials are another feature not to be overlooked. David Rose, a high profile English referee will conduct a coaching clinic for referees and other match officials, further developing the game here.

It is also important to note that this year’s tournament will see IRB seconded officials handle all fixtures.

The event is getting more serious and these developments are examples of the work being put into to show Kenya has the ability to put together large-scale tournaments.

Stay tuned to UR7s for all your Safaricom Sevens coverage!