Great Rift 10-Aside kicks off in Nakuru today

Nakuru RFC players during a training session at Nakuru Athletics Club on June 10,2025.[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The Great Rift 10-Aside tournament kicks-off with the schools and Age Grade Championships this morning at Nakuru Athletic Club. 

The curtain raiser today has attracted teams in the Under 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, and the draws will be done this morning, according to the tournament director, Harry Mwangi. 

“The event kicks off with Age Grade Championships today with all finals to be completed as planned ahead of the main competition tomorrow,” Mwangi told reporters at the launch of the event on Wednesday. 

With schools closed for the April holidays, students from Nakuru Day, Langa Langa, and Kenyatta Secondary and Menengai High Schools will be part of the Age Grade event.

Mwangi said many Kenya Cup sides had confirmed participation in addition to other teams that feature in different rugby competitions locally. 

“We have managed to secure confirmations from top Kenya Cup teams in addition to others who take part in different rugby competitions. However, we are starting with Age Grade Championships tomorrow (today),” said Mwangi, who was flanked by Nakuru County Executive for Sports Olga Riaga. 

Riaga said the county was ready to support development of all sporting disciplines and the infrastructure, and it’s the reason they had invested in the Great Rift tournament.  “We have been and will always be part of these entities, which develop sports in the county and in the region as a way of also promoting sports tourism,” Riaga said.

Meanwhile, teams from Uganda and South Sudan that had been invited have yet to confirm participation. 

Menengai Oilers are the defending champions after overcoming Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar 15-0 last year.