Rugby 15’s team lands a Sh75m Eabl deal
The national rugby 15’s team on Tuesday got a boost after East Africa Breweries Limited, through their Tusker brand, rolled out a three-year sponsorship deal worth 75 million shillings.
The sponsorship deal is the largest ever for the team in history.
The deal comes as the team, coached by South African Jerome Paarwater, prepare for the Vodacom Cup eight-week tour in South Africa.
The team is also preparing for the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualifiers in June and July where they will face Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
During the tour in South Africa, Kenya will be based in Cape Town and will play in the south section of the competition. They open their campaign against Eastern Province Kings on March 7th.
Other teams that the Tusker Lions XV will face include Boland Cavaliers, Border Bulldogs, Free State XV, Sharks XV, SWD Eagles and Western Province.
Kenya is the only side from outside the host nation featuring in the tournament following efforts between KRU, South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) and Western Province.
The team will use the event as a part of their preparations for Rugby World Cup qualifiction matches.
‘We are up to the challenge, we are really cherishing to get going. The Vodacom Cup will be the perfect opportunity for the boys to test themselves against top sides,” team captain, Wilson Kopondo said.
Kenya Rugby Union Chairman warned the boys to expect a tough battle down South and also work hard if they are to make their first ever World Cup debut.
“Going to the World Cup is not a walk in the park; it will be tough down there since you will be up against the best players in the world,” Muthee said.
“It’s universally known that Tusker has always been a keen supporter of rugby in Kenya. The package being unveiled today is crucial to Kenya’s qualification for next year’s Rugby World Cup in England,” said Mr. Muthee.