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Such is the fever ahead of this year’s Safari Sevens, 19-21st of June, Ashton Kutcher and the rest of his Punk’d crew were on a jet to Kenya to pull a move that the tournament had been cancelled, rest assured he wouldn’t be returning to Demi Moor in one piece!

We all know the Kenyan rugby fans and their devotion to this game and with the outstanding performance by the Kenyan team – known as ‘Shujaa’ - in the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series their following is rising every day.

And now for those adoring fans who love the game, their teams, and their drink, the Safari Sevens is here, being one of the only top quality sevens tournament of its kind which brings top quality foreign teams to the doorstep of the people of Kenya. The 14th edition of the tournament is promising to outdo past events in being the most competitive and hopefully in attracting record numbers to Ngong Road.

As far as teams go, the 2005 champions Samoa are set to make their second appearance in the event with a goal to clinch the title once more. Whilst international sides such as Fiji and Argentina are unable to attend, it’s the invitational sides that will be taking centre stage.

“We extended an invite to Argentina, Fiji and Samoa and we are very happy be receiving Fiji, recent winners in Scotland,” said the participation manager Hillary Itela.

Itela said it was the union's intent to have top flight teams play in this years’ meet but the unavailability of the two will not affect the event in any way.

“Of course fans would have loved to see Argentina play here but that doesn't mean there will be no less sparkling matches with Samoa likely to be here and our very own Shujaa will ensure the battle is on,” he added. France, Japan, Zimbabwe, Bristol University Select, and the always dangerous and talented Emerging Boks have already booked their tickets for Nairobi while Morocco, Tunisia and Uganda have also confirmed their participation in the event.

They will be joined by the world’s premier invitational side Samurai International who will be including up to 9 of Wales’ World Cup Winners. Samurai will be a serious force with the side being coached by Mark Hewitt who led the Samurai Barracudas to victory in Bournemouth and selected by Mike Friday the former England sevens coach and chairman of Samurai International.

The Safari Sevens is one of the few tournaments that Samurai have been unable to capture and add to the trophy cabinet, so they have returned and will continue to do so until they are able to travel back to the UK with trophy in tow. They are being realistic about their chances though, given the form of the home side.

For the first time for a while the ‘Shujaa’ (the defending Safari champions here) can classify themselves as the favourites in this year's tournament as one of the highest ranked teams in the just concluded IRB Sevens
World Series. Previously organisers have always looked for foreign team to fill the slot but Shujaa's outstanding performance in the IRB World Series has seen them earn the star title this time round.

Kenya who finished sixth in the series with 64 points will be out to defend the title they won last year when they convincingly beat Emerging Boks 31-12.

The national side coach Benjamin Ayimba promised that the side to thrill fans at home and showcase lots of talent during the event.

“We still have more in store and we are determined to quench the thirst of fans who have been watching us roll in the IRB legs,” he said.

Ayimba said they were not taking any team for granted as this is a very important competition for the side playing at their home ground and thus they will work hard to ensure they retain the trophy. Shujaa will field two teams at the event as they look to bring on board and develop the next batch of fresh talent.

IRB top try scorer Collins Injera is another one looking forward to playing at home. The flying speedster has emerged as national treasure with kids constantly chasing him around to get close to their idol.

“It’s a wonderful feeling. We have been looking forward for the sevens here; it’s good to play in front of these wonderful fans that have supported me all the way through.”

One of the traditional touring teams heading to Africa is a select Bristol University Invitational side from the UK. They missed out last year but are back again this time around looking to recreate the magic which saw them lift the trophy in 2001.

‘The atmosphere is awesome and tournament has good structure, all the teams are in the same hotel and are well catered for,’ said Drew Locke who is travelling with Bristol this year.

‘It’s a competition with a high standard, incorporating a lot of the teams in Africa; this is good because it gives the smaller rugby nations an opportunity to gain experience at a higher level.

Last year Fiji, Emerging Boks, and of course Kenya, backed by their partisan crowd, were amongst the teams who showed how the game should be played, with their fast yet physical nature,’ added Locke who turned out for Samurai here last year.

Uganda and Kenya will renew their rivalry during the event in the women’s competition. The Lady Cranes participated at the RWC Sevens in Dubai last year but returned home winless and will look to set the record straight. The battle between the fans is also set to soar when these two play making for an electric atmosphere.

The invitational event has still maintained its place as a top developmental tournament, however, with no prize money at stake the attraction of big teams has been tricky. With recognition from Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) and IRB as a powerful sevens event in Africa, the Safari Sevens is hopeful that one day it will make to be in the IRB calendar.

Alongside the big boys and the women’s event an important part of the Safari Sevens is that of the veterans and schoolboy tournaments. Both of these add to the flavour of the event with some of the best rugby in Africa being played by the up and coming schoolboys. This year the schools tournament is made up from ‘select’ teams from regions across Kenya and Zimbabwe and the boys are sure to have plenty of support as they play in front of the large crowds on Ngong road.

In the past, Safari Sevens has been home to future stars that have used the tournament to break into their national teams. Isoa Damudamu (England), Bryan Habana. Mzwandile Stick, Colin Charvis, and coach Mike Friday are all some of the big names to have hit the Safari in years gone by.

With the IRB pouring cold water on Kenya's bid to get a place in the IRB calendar for now, this is another opportunity to showcase a major tournament here.

Mark Egan, Head of Development and Performance for the IRB, was in the country in April during the Junior World Rugby Tournament and claimed Kenya must bide their time and improve their stadiums to have a chance to bring a large-scale IRB event here.

“Kenya needs solid sponsorship and patience to be in the IRB calendar. The Rugby Football Grounds of East African cannot accommodate such kind of tournament,” he said.

Egan said a country will need approximately $1.3m (Sh104million) to successfully host a tournament of such magnitude.

"At the moment I don’t think that there is anyone who will be willing to foot such a big bill, because the returns will take about four years just for him to break even," said Egan.

Aside from the rugby and politics, once again this year will see the ‘Village’ buzzing accommodating the after party. Though the performers for this year have not been disclosed yet top male and female artists from Kenya and around Africa are vying to get the invite to entertain the fans in what will be a fitting celebration of Kenya success this season and African rugby in general.

The event has received a lot of attention with the media keeping the public in the know of all the information of the event. Each year the tournament sets development targets, this year will be the first time the event will broadcast live to a worldwide audience. Satellite dish company Super Sport is airing the event to over 52 countries, this is a big progression for the event.

The pay to view television channel will join title sponsors Tusker brought the rights for Shs 26million from East Africa Breweries limited in 2008. Computer Company Microsoft has also shown interest to come on board and run the media centre. Others sponsors are still trickling in what is obviously turbulent times economically for that kind of thing.

The Safari Sevens is considered by all that have been to the tournament as a must on the sevens calendar, a tournament that has it all from schoolboys to internationals, clubs to invitational with a crowd that is like no other on the continent and further afield. As Kenya have grown into being one of the powers on the IRB circuit this year the Safari Sevens 2009 will be a celebration of all things Kenya Sevens rugby and what a site it will be. The home crowd will be looking to crown their heroes once more come Sunday evening as a fabulous season comes to an end but with many of the opposition sides being IRB standard they will have their work cut out to take the glory. With a little further digging, you may just find the next Collins Injera or Humphrey Kayange in the schools tournament or faces from the past in the vets and don’t forget the women, if 2009 has taught us anything it doesn’t matter who takes the field; young, old, man or women rugby sevens has the ability to captivate from the minute the first ball is kicked.

Entry fee to the event will be Shs 900 ($12) on Saturday and Sunday while on Friday they will be going for Shs 800 ($11). Season tickets will be going for Shs 1,500 ($20) which are quiet cheap compared to what fans in Dubai, Hong Kong and San Diego pay on average per day which is Shs 3,000 ($39).

Past Winners: 2008 Kenya, 2007 Emerging Spring Boks, 2006 Emerging
Spring Boks, 2005 Samoa, 2004 Kenya, 2003 Kenya, 2002 British Army,
2001 British Army, 2000 Zimbabwe, 1999 Public School Wanderers, 1998
Bristol University, 1997 Kenya, 1996 Public School Wanderers