Kenya Simbas receive 10 million sponsorship boon from Teita Sisal

The National men's rugby 15s side, Kenya Simbas, has received a massive boost of Ksh 10 million in sponsorship from Teita Sisal Estate through its 'The Hildana Lodge' ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup African qualifiers set for 1-10 July 2022 in France.

Speaking at the sponsorship announcement, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU);Chairman Oduor Gangla said, "KRU appreciates this timely partnership that will certainly be a boost to the Simbas who have been in intense preparations over the past two years for this assignment.

Our preparations started with the Rugby Africa Cup Pool B fixtures that we hosted last year in Nairobi before two tours of South Africa in November last year when the Simbas played in the Stellenbosch Quadrangular and the more recent tour that saw the team participated in in the Currie Cup First Division competition between May and early June this year. These funds will be used to ensure the team prepares and performs well in France," added Gangla.

Jimmy Mnene, the Teita Sisal Representative expressed appreciation to the company for taking pride and delight in supporting the team, saying, "The company has been a strong supporter of both Kenya Simbas (senior XVS men) and Chipu since 2019. In the words of Philip Kiryazi, MD Teita Sisal Estate, our wish as a company is to promote and develop our great team to be at the forefront of International rugby."

"On behalf of Teita Sisal Estate and the Hildana Lodge, it is our honor to be able to be associated with The Simbas and the KRU. We are delighted by our continued investment in the sport of rugby in the country.

This is not just an investment, it is a commitment to the society through transforming and developing the sport of rugby in Kenya. The future of the game has to be promoted to ensure consistency in performance and growth of the game to taking the team to the Rugby World Cup in 2023," he concluded.

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Simbas Head Coach Paul Odera expressed his delight at the sponsorship, saying, "This partnership couldn't have come at a better time. We are fully focused on the task at hand, which is to secure Kenya's first ever qualification to the fifteens Rugby World Cup.

We go out there with hopes and dreams of the millions of Kenyans and we will make you proud. Thank you once again for this gesture."

The sponsorship comes as a massive shot in the arm amidst the team's well documented financial struggles where the team launched a fundraising campaign to raise 10 million shillings owing to lack of facilitation from the government.

The Simbas leave the country at 1.00am on Wednesday 29 June and begin their campaign with a quarterfinal fixture against Uganda at 4.00pm EAT on Saturday 2 July.

The semifinals are set for 6 July with the final slated for 10 July. The winner of this tournament earns direct qualification to the 2023.

The Hildana Lodge lies at the foot of the Taita Hills. The sanctuary forms a part of Teita Sisal Estate and speaks to the family's passion and commitment to the conservation of the wildlife and the surrounding environment.