Thirteen teams will tomorrow converge at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) grounds to battle for crucial points in the second round of the SportPesa Rugby Sevens national competition.
The tournament, organised as part of the Tanzania Rugby Sevens circuit, will feature eight men’s teams and five women’s teams from different regions, with clubs looking to strengthen their positions ahead of the national finals scheduled for December in Arusha.
Tanzania Rugby Union (TRU) Secretary General Antony Dawa said preparations for the competition had been completed and expressed confidence that the participating teams would deliver competitive matches.
“Preparations have gone well and every team has prepared adequately. We expect to see the level of competition we have been looking for,” Dawa said in an interview with The Respondent Online.
The men’s competition has been divided into two groups. Group A comprises Iringa Wild, Dar Cubs, Dodoma Dragon and Arusha Rhino, while Group B brings together Kilimanjaro, Ukonga Warriors, Dar Leopard and Mondili.
In the women’s category, Dar Cheetahs, Ukonga Queens, Dodoma Dragons, Mondili and Kilimanjaro Ladies will compete in a single group.
Dawa said the presence of international referees from Kenya and Uganda would add value to the tournament, while also providing an opportunity for local officials to gain experience and improve their officiating standards.
The second round will use a points-based system, with teams seeking to accumulate as many points as possible to improve their overall standings and enhance their chances of reaching the national finals.
According to Dawa, the competition is an important component of the Tanzania Rugby Sevens calendar as the TRU seeks to sustain regular high-level competition and prepare clubs for the decisive national finals in Arusha.
With the race for points intensifying, tomorrow’s matches are expected to provide an early indication of which teams are best positioned to challenge for the national title at the end of the season.