Makerere University welcomes the rest of Africa to the 2nd King of Africa University Rugby 7s championship. The Kampala based University in Uganda continues to maintained a prestigious place as an reputable academic institution that prioritizes and supports sporting activities.
The games is kicks off at the Makerere Impis Rugby Grounds between the dates of 8th to 10th of October, 2021.
The event will be geared towards qualifying for the FISU Rugby 7s World Cup which is expected to take place in Kazan, Russia from 12th to 14th August, 2022. A competition that is always cherished.
The games will features 10 universities from across Africa in the men’s event they include Makerere University, Kabale University, Daystar University, University of kisii, United States International University, Jomo Kenyatta University (JKUAT), University of Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria, Kenyatta University. While the women have registered four teams for the rugby event, they are, Makerere University, Stellenbosch University, University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria.
Makerere University has played a key role in African University sports development hosting several International and local sporting events like the World University Netball Championships and the first King of Africa University Rugby 7s, and the Tennis Slam.
Also taking place is the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) Tennis championships which began on the 8th of October.
Ugandan will be represented by six universities; Makerere, Kabale, Busitema, Ndejje, Mbarara, and Victoria University others includes, University of Tripoli, University of Benghazi, University of pretoria, Stellenbosch University, Kenyatta University,Jomo Kenyatta University (JKUAT).
Makerere University’s tennis players Zeridah Achen and Evelyn Mwebaza say they are ready to go as far as possible ““We have been doing mostly drills off the court because the rain has been disturbing, so we have been doing sprints, jogs, and drills. I’m fairly ready for the competition. I have played Tennis since my O’level at Namagunga and I hope to win a medal, I’m ready to go,” Achen said.
Mwebaza was also feeling bullish ahead of the games saying: “The whole team has been training and we went through different drills. Today we tried to get committed for the whole day because the rains have held us back. We need gold, Makerere has to win gold,” Mwebaza a second-year student stated.
FASU General secretary Peninah Kabenge in Kampala during the launch of the FASU Rugby and Tennis Games Said,
“We are pleased to have this championship this year following the Covid-19 pandemic challenges, but we are committed to developing sports in the continent,’ Kabenge said.
‘We plan to have several competitions that will prepare African teams for the world stage,’ Kabenge added.
The organizing body FASU has pulled a number of partnerships with whom they wish to handle the preparations. These include: Makerere University, University sports Uganda, and International University Sports Federation (FISU).
At the games this year, 15 universities from Kenya, Libya, South Africa and hosts Uganda are participating. The South Africa University of Johannesburg is the Rugby 7s defending champions.