By Stephen Ouma Bwire.
On March 3rd 2022, the Rugby Africa 2022 launch took place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala Uganda. It highlighted Rugby Africa 7’s, Rugby Africa Cup and Barthez U-20 Tournament.
The Barthez Cup takes center stage first from 9th to 17th April in Nairobi, Kenya. In his opening remarks, the President Rugby Africa Khaled Babbou, said;
It is humbling to be in Kampala. This is my third time here. We are ready to have the Africa 7’s, Rugby Africa Cup and Barthes U-20. The Barthes U-20 tournament will be played by majorly local based players with a few from South Africa. The U-20 cup is meant to help grow the game of Rugby and this year’s edition will be officiated by 11 RA young panel certified Referees” Babbou disclosed.
With Kenya playing host for the Barthez U-20 Trophy again this year, the President of the Kenya Rugby Union Gangla Oduor thanked Rugby Africa committee for granting them hosting rights thrice in a row. “Eight teams will feature in this year’s edition that has Madagascar, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Senegal pending confirmation with green light from their Government.
In the second segment of the launch, the Rugby Africa 7s Cup due April 23rd to 24th at Kyadondo Rugby club grounds in Kampala, the Women 7s Cup in Tunisia due April 28-30 and the Rugby Africa Cup finals in the 15s code.
The men’s Rugby 7s in Kampala will be the qualifiers for both the Commonwealth Games in July and the Rugby 7s World Cup due September in Cape town, South Africa.
Out of the 14 teams, the top two will qualify for the Commonwealth Games and September’s World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Uganda Rugby Union president Godwin Kayangwe was very grateful that there is going to be alot of exciting Rugby played this season and revealed that Uganda has already prepared to offer a great ambience for the games.
” The tournament is a qualifier and will be screened live on Supersport channels” the URU Guru clarrified.
Andrew Owor the Vice President Rugby Africa revealed that there are many ways of developing capacity and how to employ strategies. Rugby Africa Executive Committee has their ways of developing the game in Africa from the grassroots”, in relation to the choice of France hosting Africa’s massive event 2022.
The Africa Cup finals due July in France in the 15s version of the sport will be the qualifiers for 2023. Eight countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, and Namibia, will showcase with the winner here joining South Africa to represent Africa in the World Cup.
Babbou highlighted that their focus is on youth development and Rugby Africa is doing all possible to avail opportunities for the development of Rugby.
“Our target is funding more of women and youth rugby in the coming years as we leave the unions to take charge of the Men’s 15s teams,” Babbou charged.
