All set ahead of Dala Sevens as local circuit kicks off

All is set in the lake city side of Kisumu as local rugby teams prepare to thrill fans in the much-awaited Dala Sevens which will be the first circuit of this year’s Sevens season and kicks off this weekend at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium.

In the latest draw released by Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Dala 7s champions Homeboyz headline Pool ‘D’ and will face Mwamba RFC, Western Bulls, and last season’s overall Division Two champions, Makueni RFC.

Last season’s champions Menengai Oilers are in Pool ‘A’ alongside city rivals Nakuru RFC, newly promoted Kenyan cup side Nondescripts, and Varsity side Catholic Monks.

Last season’s runners-up KCB headline Pool ‘B’, alongside Harlequins, Masinde Muliro, and Mombasa RFC.

Strathmore Leos are in Pool ‘C’ which also features Kabras Sugar, and Daystar Falcons, and hosts Kisumu RFC.

With the stage set, 2019 National Sevens circuit winners KCB RFC have made four additions to their squad ahead of the first round of the circuit.

The bankers are keen to reassert their dominance in the shorter version of the game with head coach Andrew Amonde the newly signed players will create depth and ensure a competitive environment during the six-leg tournament.

Bankers have brought in former Kenya under 20 international and Kabras player William Opaka, Mwamba and Mombasa flyhalf Elvis Namusasi, Menengai Oilers star Austin Sikutwa and Blak Blad’s Lionel Ajeliti.

The Andrew Amonde-coached side played in a four-team tournament last week at the RFUEA ground, also involving Quins, Nakuru, and Mwamba.

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has already announced its sponsorship for the highly anticipated 2023 edition of the Dala Sevens tournament with a commitment of Ksh. 2 million,

Soon after the teams are done with the Dala 7’s, the circuit will head to Mombasa for Driftwood Sevens on July 8/9 while the third round — the Prinsloo 7’s — will be staged in Nakuru on August 5/6.

Nairobi will host the fourth leg, Christie 7’s on 12/13 August while the penultimate round, Tisap 7’s, will be held in Eldoret on September 2/3.

The teams will be back in Nairobi for the last round of the circuit, the Kabeberi 7’s, on September 8 and 9.

Dala 7s

Pool A: Menenegai Oilers, Nakuru, Nondescripts, Catholic Monks

Pool B: KCB, Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro, Mombasa

Pool C: Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar, Daystar Falcons, Kisumu

Pool D: Homeboyz, Mwamba, Western Bulls, Makueni