THE Rwanda Rugby federation has unveiled a list of competitions for the 2019 calendar, that will include the women’s sevens tournament due in April. However, one of the challenges that are likely to affect the scheduled is the lack of enough funds to organise, host and participate in different competitions. In February there is a pre-season sevens’ one-day circuit on Sunday, February 17 at Gatenga youth centre ground as the curtain raiser for the 15 aside men’s 2019 national rugby championships scheduled on March 2. Unlike previous seasons, this year, the number of teams competing for the national title increased from eight to ten, including two newly promoted sides Burere and IPRC Tumba Rugby team. The reason given for starting the men’s national league earlier is to allow for ample time for the preparation of the Silver Cup to be played by national team ‘Silverbacks’ in June between 13-24 away in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. For the first time in five years, the women’s 7’s tournament is due to be played in March; while the national school rugby 7’s will also kick off the same month. The national schools 15 aside, as well as the Inter school league 7’s will be staged in March. The 25th Genocide Commemoration rugby competition is set after April, the tournament will attract some teams from neighboring countries. The Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Championship (FEASSA) rugby competition will also be part of this year’s stretched calendar, in August. Having missed the 2018 Safaricom 7’s last, the Silverbacks are also expected to feature in the Kenyan annual tournament set for September. The Clubs 7’s tournament which involves all the ten teams to be organised by Thousand Hill, Lion de Fer, Muhanga Thunders and Kigali Sharks rugby teams will take place in September. A second schools 7’s will be played in May before concluding in June. Rwanda will also host the Under-19 competition, for the Uganda school Independence Cup as well as the East Africa Junior Rugby seven scheduled in September and August respectively. “For those interested in minimal contact rugby November will be the right time for you because the Tag Rugby Festival will be organised with the venue to be revealed over time,” a Rwanda Rugby Federation statement says The highlight of this year’s calendar will be the Seven Circuit to be organised in October, but before that, the Kwita Izina Rugby Sevens will take centre stage in August, while Rwanda Rugby 7’s will be played in December. However, the calendar is subject to change according to the national rugby federation. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
