Star Studded Cast for Safaricom Sevens 2012

A star studded Samurai side comprising 6 All Black players and the Fijian captain, and rugby Legend Jonah Lomu are among those expected in this year's Safaricom Sevens which will take place between the 21st and 23rd of September at the more spacious and better equipped Nyayo Stadium.
So far, ten teams have confirmed their participation in the Safaricom 7s and these are: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Uganda, South Africa Sevens Academy (Emerging Boks), Shujaa, Grenoble, British Army and Samurai. 

In 2010, leading integrated communications provider, Safaricom Limited's entered into a 3 year deal to become the prestigious tournament's title sponsor. This year, the company has set aside Kshs. 32.6 million to facilitate a successful tournament. 

"As one of Africa's premier Sevens tournament, the Safaricom Sevens is on every rugby fan's diary as a must attend event. As title sponsors, we are working closely with Kenya Rugby Union to raise the standards of this event so that we can finally realise the dream of being incorporated into the IRB circuit," said Nzioka Waita, Director – Corporate Affairs. 

"We are therefore calling on the government to support this tournament because incorporation into the IRB circuit would boost Kenya's Sports Tourism drive," he added.

The organisers of the 17th Edition of the premier rugby tournament have stated that the decision to return the tournament to Nyayo stadium was informed by positive feedback from rugby fans. The venue has been hailed for its enhanced seating capacity and easy accessibility from as being secure and accessible from various points of Nairobi.

In addition, tournament organisers are in talks with rugby legend and former New Zealand great, Jonah Lomu to have him grace the event as the guest of honour. 
"In the time that this tournament has been in existence, we have seen the Safaricom Sevens grow in leaps and bounds. Our goal ultimate goal is to get admission into the IRB series while at the same time ensuring that our fans have a great experience," said Mwangi Muthee, KRU chairman.

"This year's tournament will also provide fans with the chance to see a revamped Kenyan national team begin the quest for glory ahead of the 2012-2013 international sevens season, whose highlight will be the Rugby World Cup Sevens to be held in Russia," added Mr. Muthee.
In keeping with tradition, tournament organizers have also scheduled subsidiary tournaments for schools, women and community rugby which is in line with Safaricom's and KRU's vision of spreading the game to a wider populace

THE END

About Safaricom Corporate
Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. With annual revenues in excess of Kshs 100 billion, it is Kenya's widest 3G network with a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence. 
Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, it now has over 15 million customers and over 37,000 Agent outlets countrywide.

About Safaricom Sports
Safaricom has had a longstanding tradition of sponsoring major sports events in the country.
In 2008, the company offered cash incentives for the Olympics team and the Paralympics teams as motivation for a good performance. The telecoms company was the major sponsor of the 2010 African Athletics Championships, which were the first ever to take place in Kenya. 
Safaricom is also a major sponsor of the Sportsman of the Year Award-SOYA which honors excellence in athletics. The company is also associated with many local races both at the national and community level. 

About Safaricom Sevens
The Safari Sevens, known as the Safaricom Sevens after main sponsors Safaricom is an annual rugby sevens tournament held in Kenya. The tournament is run by the Kenya Rugby Football Union. The competition is promoted as being Africa's premier rugby sevens tournament drawing crowds of over 20,000 to the weekend event.

A star studded Samurai side comprising 6 All Black players and the Fijian captain, and rugby Legend Jonah Lomu are among those expected in this year's Safaricom Sevens which will take place between the 21st and 23rd of September at the more spacious and better equipped Nyayo Stadium.
So far, ten teams have confirmed their participation in the Safaricom 7s and these are: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Uganda, South Africa Sevens Academy (Emerging Boks), Shujaa, Grenoble, British Army and Samurai. 

In 2010, leading integrated communications provider, Safaricom Limited's entered into a 3 year deal to become the prestigious tournament's title sponsor. This year, the company has set aside Kshs. 32.6 million to facilitate a successful tournament. 

"As one of Africa's premier Sevens tournament, the Safaricom Sevens is on every rugby fan's diary as a must attend event. As title sponsors, we are working closely with Kenya Rugby Union to raise the standards of this event so that we can finally realise the dream of being incorporated into the IRB circuit," said Nzioka Waita, Director – Corporate Affairs. 

"We are therefore calling on the government to support this tournament because incorporation into the IRB circuit would boost Kenya's Sports Tourism drive," he added.

The organisers of the 17th Edition of the premier rugby tournament have stated that the decision to return the tournament to Nyayo stadium was informed by positive feedback from rugby fans. The venue has been hailed for its enhanced seating capacity and easy accessibility from as being secure and accessible from various points of Nairobi.

In addition, tournament organisers are in talks with rugby legend and former New Zealand great, Jonah Lomu to have him grace the event as the guest of honour. 
"In the time that this tournament has been in existence, we have seen the Safaricom Sevens grow in leaps and bounds. Our goal ultimate goal is to get admission into the IRB series while at the same time ensuring that our fans have a great experience," said Mwangi Muthee, KRU chairman.

"This year's tournament will also provide fans with the chance to see a revamped Kenyan national team begin the quest for glory ahead of the 2012-2013 international sevens season, whose highlight will be the Rugby World Cup Sevens to be held in Russia," added Mr. Muthee.
In keeping with tradition, tournament organizers have also scheduled subsidiary tournaments for schools, women and community rugby which is in line with Safaricom's and KRU's vision of spreading the game to a wider populace

THE END

About Safaricom Corporate
Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. With annual revenues in excess of Kshs 100 billion, it is Kenya's widest 3G network with a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence. 
Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, it now has over 15 million customers and over 37,000 Agent outlets countrywide.

About Safaricom Sports
Safaricom has had a longstanding tradition of sponsoring major sports events in the country.
In 2008, the company offered cash incentives for the Olympics team and the Paralympics teams as motivation for a good performance. The telecoms company was the major sponsor of the 2010 African Athletics Championships, which were the first ever to take place in Kenya. 
Safaricom is also a major sponsor of the Sportsman of the Year Award-SOYA which honors excellence in athletics. The company is also associated with many local races both at the national and community level. 

About Safaricom Sevens
The Safari Sevens, known as the Safaricom Sevens after main sponsors Safaricom is an annual rugby sevens tournament held in Kenya. The tournament is run by the Kenya Rugby Football Union. The competition is promoted as being Africa's premier rugby sevens tournament drawing crowds of over 20,000 to the weekend event.