Sevens to hit coast
Preparations for the eighth edition of the World University Rugby Sevens Championship are at an advanced stage.
Close to 300 players are expected to take part in the tournament that will take place in Swakopmund.
Werner Jeffery, the chairperson of the local organising committee which falls under the Tertiary Institutes Sports Association of Namibia (Tisan), said on Tuesday that with two months to go, everything is progressing well, preparation-wise.
“So far, 20 teams have indicated their wish to participate in the tournament on the men's side, while 12 have indicated their interest on the women's side. The games will be played at the Swakopmund Stadium,” he said.
Tisan has already conducted two trials for the teams and one more is due soon, which will focus mostly on those playing outside Namibia.
Jeffery said they are struggling to find women players, hence the decision to request the International University Sports Federation (Fisu) to allow them to use the national team for the tournament.
The games will be hosted by Tisan on behalf of Fisu.
These will be the first World Universities Rugby Sevens Championship to be hosted after rugby sevens' was added to the Olympics.
The games will take place from 12 to 14 July.
The last games were held in Swansea, Wales in 2016, when Namibia beat Italy in the Plate Final to finish in fifth position.
According to Jeffery, Namibia wants to challenge for the main prize despite the fact that most of its players have now moved to the national team, while others have secured overseas contracts.
He called on the corporate world to support the event, as it plays a huge role in developing rugby players.
Jeffery also announced that Air Namibia has come on board as sponsors and will provide affordable rates for European and African student participants and fans alike.
NAMPA
Close to 300 players are expected to take part in the tournament that will take place in Swakopmund.
Werner Jeffery, the chairperson of the local organising committee which falls under the Tertiary Institutes Sports Association of Namibia (Tisan), said on Tuesday that with two months to go, everything is progressing well, preparation-wise.
“So far, 20 teams have indicated their wish to participate in the tournament on the men's side, while 12 have indicated their interest on the women's side. The games will be played at the Swakopmund Stadium,” he said.
Tisan has already conducted two trials for the teams and one more is due soon, which will focus mostly on those playing outside Namibia.
Jeffery said they are struggling to find women players, hence the decision to request the International University Sports Federation (Fisu) to allow them to use the national team for the tournament.
The games will be hosted by Tisan on behalf of Fisu.
These will be the first World Universities Rugby Sevens Championship to be hosted after rugby sevens' was added to the Olympics.
The games will take place from 12 to 14 July.
The last games were held in Swansea, Wales in 2016, when Namibia beat Italy in the Plate Final to finish in fifth position.
According to Jeffery, Namibia wants to challenge for the main prize despite the fact that most of its players have now moved to the national team, while others have secured overseas contracts.
He called on the corporate world to support the event, as it plays a huge role in developing rugby players.
Jeffery also announced that Air Namibia has come on board as sponsors and will provide affordable rates for European and African student participants and fans alike.
NAMPA
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