Following a nine-year hiatus, the 2023 edition of Malindi Beach Rugby Festival returned on Saturday 30 at the Buntwani Waterfront Park.
The tournament attracted a total of 16 teams with seven age grade teams; (two girls’ teams and seven boys’ teams), as well as seven senior teams participating.
Malindi Beach Rugby aim
Scrummage Africa caught up with Leon Lubang’a, the tournament director who revealed that their sole intention was to revive rugby vibe in the coastal town of Malindi.
“Together with the committee, we decided to come together to see how we could invite the rugby vibe in Malindi The best way was through Malindi Beach Rugby,” he told Scrummage Africa.
Leon, who doubles up as the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Coast region development officer added that the tournament would serve as a catalyst for the growth of rugby in the region.
“The last time it was held was in 2014 and it was well attended. People knew about the game and were interested in it. It also helped in the growth of the Malindi Club,” he averred.
Keen to attract partners
“We are looking at attracting new players, vintage ones, future sponsors and partners. We have nine age grade teams; seven boys and two girls teams and then we have eight senior teams from Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Nairobi,” he added.
He further urged fans to turn out in large numbers to show support for both the age-grade and senior category teams.
