A total of 20 teams have confirmed participation in the Kenya Varsity League slated for September 24-November 26.
16 teams have been entered in the men’s category with four in the women’s division.
The tournament will be a 15-aside extravaganza meant to showcase top-class rugby in the universities.
The men’s teams include the University of Nairobi, Kisii University, Technical University of Mombasa, Kenyatta University, Strathmore University, Meru University, Egerton, Moi University, Jkuat, MMUST, Cuea, Dekut, Kabarak University, Co-Operative University, University of Eldoret and the Technical University of Kenya.
The women’s category has the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, MMUST and Strathmore.
The tournament will be played in nine venues including Kenyatta University, Meru University, Moi University, Catholic University, Masinde Muliro University, Egerton University, Strathmore University, Technical University of Mombasa and University of Nairobi.
The aim of the event is to raise awareness on mental health, gender equality and train students on financial literacy.
Organiser James Kimutai said the players will also get professional training, counseling as well as feature in cutthroat competition that will enable them to improve their game.
He added: “We hope the exposure from the tournament will help some students get scholarships and sponsorships.” Varsity League managers will do in-campus activations leading to the weekend’s fixtures starting every Wednesday through to match day.
Kimutai said the event is part of the ‘Kuza Kizazi initiative. They also hope to make it an annual competition with two (or three) tiers to create enough room for all universities.
“We want to create a pool of players who can feed into our national team, local clubs and foreign clubs. Overall, Kuza Kizazi is focused on empowering the youth economically, psychologically and socially among other aspects by leveraging on sports,” said Kimutai.