Rugby tournament
closes heads down
By The Anchor Reporter
DG Mr Francis Mwangangi poses with KAA team
The much anticipated Benjamin Ayimba legacy tournament held in at the Kenyatta stadium has ended as silently as it begun.
Much as the vent organizers will have to agonize as to why it was largely a flop, residents of Machakos town are relieved that the event never became the nuisance past rugby games in Machakos have been.
23 teams sourced from across the country participated in the 3 day tournament to honour Benjamin Ayimba, a legend who put Kenya on the rugby map internationally. His parents, Mzee Joachim and Mama Esther graced the occasion and presented awards to some of the winners. The rugby maestro died on May 22, 2021 after battling cerebral malaria.
However while expectations were high, the tournament saw a very low turnout with some of the vendors unable to make a return on their investments.
The Anchor has also received reports that some of the suppliers were likely facing non-payment as the tournament organizers were left unable to raise the money courtesy of the low turnout.
A combination of bad weather, rivalry with Kenya Rugby Union and owners of the Masaku Sevens franchise as well as apprehension from locals may unwittingly teamed up to frustrate what would have been an otherwise lucrative, lively Easter outing in Machakos.
The Kenya Airports Authority, the Coca-Cola Company the County Government of Machakos were the main sponsors of the event whose overall winner was little known Winam RFC club from Kisumu County. They thrashed Ruffians RFC 25-0 in the finals.
The low key nature of the event was underlined by the absence of Governor Wavinya Ndeti who gave the event a could shoulders from the launch to the closing. The Deputy Governor Mr Francis Mwangangi stepped in and finally closed the event by congratulating an awarding Winam RFC in men's category and Ruffians RFC in ladies' category and for emerging victorious.
