Rugby teams across seven regions in Kenya will have a chance to participate in the BingwaFest Rugby 10s, set to kick off in August 2024.
This comes after gaming firm Betika launched BingwaFest 2024, expanding their grassroots initiative, Betika na Community, to include rugby. The firm has allocated Ksh 120 million for cash prizes in this year’s BingwaFest.
BingwaFest Rugby 10s
Rugby matches will be played in Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Coast, Nairobi, Eastern, and Central regions. The top three teams from each region will receive cash prizes, with specific amounts to be announced soon. The winners per region will also face off in the National competition.
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Rugby legend Fred Ollows will oversee the rugby segment. He explained the choice of the 10s format, which he feels balances the shorter 7s and the longer 15s versions.
This decision was based on the current technical capabilities at the grassroots level and the aim to gather data for future editions.
“We will do 10-a-side. Initially, I thought we should focus on 15s, but given that this is a grassroots event, we lack sufficient technical know-how on the ground. So, we opted for a middle ground between 7s and 15s, which is 10s,” Ollows told Scrummage Africa during the launch.
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“This is just a starting point. We’ve had extensive consultations and feel that 10s incorporate elements of both 7s and 15s. Our end goal is to transition to 15s, but that will require significant technical expertise, coach education, and time. We’ll start with 10s, gather data, and then decide on our next steps,” he added.
Ollows highlighted the importance of this tournament for rugby development, noting that grassroots development often receives less attention compared to elite levels.
“This initiative focuses on development, which is crucial for the growth of the sport,” he said. “We are looking at 16 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams in each region.”
The BingwaFest 10s opener will be held at the Mumias Complex in the Western Region, targeting players aged 18-23. The event will be open to all fans.
Betika Managing Director Mutua Mutava emphasized the firm’s commitment to expanding beyond football and athletics.
“We aim to diversify our sports offerings, and adding rugby is a significant step,” he said. “This platform allows players to showcase their talent, and we plan for these programs to be continuous.”
Betika will provide more details on team registration for the festival soon.
