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| Western Province Rugby team from S.Africa at JKIA |
The fixture will be preceded by the highly anticipated Bamburi Rugby
Super Series final pitting Nguvu Papa against UAP Kifaru.
The friendly will be Kenya’s last build-up ahead of
the forthcoming Confederation
of African Rugby Division 1A championships in Madagascar which will serve as
the final round to determine the qualifiers for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in
England.
On hand to
receive the team on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was the
Kenya Rugby Union officials led by the Chairman Mwangi Muthee. He was
accompanied by top officials from BRSS’ signature sponsors Bamburi Cement Group
and Kenya Tourism Board.
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Bamburi Corporate Affairs and Communications Director, Ms Susan
Maingi greets KRU Chairman Mr Mwangi Muthee during the welcoming of the
South African team Western Province, looking on is Executive Member of Western
Province Rugby, Mr David Kagan.
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"We are very
thankful to the Western Province Rugby Union for their continued technical
assistance to Kenyan rugby. They have shown great faith and belief in Kenya by
sending us a very strong and capable side and I am sure that Saturday's fixture
will be a treat for all Rugby lovers. Karibuni Kenya,” Mr. Muthee
Speaking during the briefing, Susan
Maingi, Bamburi Cement Group’s Corporate Affairs and Communications Director
said that Bamburi views sports in general and Rugby in particular as not only a
valuable social activity that brings people together but also as a viable
economic empowerment tool for Kenyan youth and people.
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| Susan Maingi, Bamburi Cement Group’sCorporate Affairs and Communications Director |
“We expect an exhilarating weekend as the
Bamburi Super Series comes to an exciting end and as the Kenyan team plays the
Western Province team ahead of qualifying matches for the Rugby World Cup.”
said Ms Maingi.
She added: “For
Bamburi, the series is an important vehicle in connecting with Kenyans, who are
at the very core of our business and success. The series resonates with our
values of education and sustainable development as we see talent being nurtured
and honed to the next level in this sport.”
On her part,
Jacinta Nzioka Director of Marketing, Kenya Tourism Board welcomed the team to
Kenya. She noted that counties are fast realizing the economic benefit of
sports tourism and investing in facilities to attract more events.
“Counties such as Machakos, Uasin Gichu,
Muranga, Kitui and Nakuru are already taking advantage of the huge and largely
untapped potential of sports tourism in Kenya and making the necessary
investments. This is a trend that should be lauded and encouraged,” added Ms
Nzioka.
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Jacinta Nzioka Director of Marketing,
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“I note with
satisfaction that besides the international friendly with the Kenyan national
Rugby team lined up for this Saturday, you shall also have a chance to sample
our tourism product and world-renowned hospitality. Please feel most welcome. Karibu,”
she concluded.
The South
Africans have included seven players with Super Rugby experience in their
travelling party. They include Michael van der Spuy, Dylan Frylink, Gary van
Aswegen, Devon Williams, Jean Kleyn, Sithembiso Sithole and Stephan Coetzee.
They will also feature many other players who took part in the recently
concluded Vodacom Cup.
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Western Province Head Coach Mr John Dobson speaks following his team’s arrival at JKIA.
