Malindi Beach Rugby poised for thrilling weekend action

Rugby fans are lacing up their boots to witness the return of the Malindi Beach Rugby festival that will get underway from Saturday 30 to Sunday 1 October at the Buntwani Waterfront Park in Malindi.

The return of the festival in 2023 marks a long-awaited comeback after a hiatus of nearly a decade, since its last thrilling edition in 2014.

The event promises to bring back the heartwarming blend of sun, sand, and scrums that rugby lovers had missed. The five-aside tournament will be hosted by Tajriba Sports.

The organizers led by tournament director Leon Lubanga pointed out that the main aim of this year's edition was to market Malindi as a sports destination site, in addition to adding a unique highlight in the rugby calendar.

"Each region in this country has its own unique highlight rugby events that everyone looks forward to in the year. Nairobi we have the Safari 7s, Christie 7s and Kabeberi 7s, Mombasa has Driftwood 7s, Nyanza has Dala 7s and so on. So I'm trying to craft something unique for Malindi and given the white sandy beaches, warm temperatures and being a tourist destination we saw that reviving the beach rugby festival is the best way to go," Lubanga offered.

What makes this year's edition even more enticing is that it will be held at the first and only multi-purpose beach sports facility in Kenya; Buntwani Waterfront Park, which allows them to have control over the schedule, and won't be affected by the tides.

"The unique part about this event is the host venue. Buntwani Waterfront Park. This means yes the venue is at the beach and we'll be playing on the sand. To add on to this the venue is within the town easily accessible to the public plus entry is free so we expect a full house on Saturday and Sunday," he disclosed.

Lubanga further noted that they expected 16 senior mixed gender teams and 20 junior teams as they aim at a bigger 2023 edition. The organizers are targeting only Kenyan teams for a start as they aim higher in upcoming years.

"For this year's events we are only targeting local (Kenyan) teams to get things going then as from next year we can consider a wider reach. We are in discussions with a Kenya 7s international to attend the event as an invited guest," he disclosed.

Fans can not only expect quality beach rugby which is its own highlight, but also a lifetime experience, a big afterparty, and lots of fun. Entry is free for all spectators. Teams that wish to participate can register to a tune of six thousand Kenyan shillings. The registration date is Saturday 23 September.

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"Fans should look forward to lots of entertainment, intense rugby action, music from renowned Djs, dance, food, and special moments for friends and families. It's all about creating A Rich Experience. Interested teams can register through the event Facebook page Malindi Beach Rugby Festival and click on tickets to the event," Lubanga revealed.

The revival of Malindi Beach Rugby Festival will serve as a catalyst for rekindling the love and passion for rugby in Malindi. The event has the potential to reignite the rugby fever in the coastal town, and offers a unique opportunity for the Malindi rugby team to showcase their talent on their home turf.

"Club rugby has been dormant in Malindi for close to two years now. We look forward to reviving the rugby vibe and passion for the game in Malindi, we hope after this event we will be able to revive the Malindi rugby team and increase its support in terms of attracting players, increasing community support and attracting sponsors. The event will also give back to the local community after all the dust has settled," Lubanga stated.

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He further pointed out that marketing Malindi as a sports tourism destination would not only revive the once vibrant tourism sector, but also create jobs for the local community.

How is five-aside played?

The 5s aside tournament has five players on both sides. Unlike other rules in other versions where a try counts for five points, a try in the 5s game equals a point. Teams can also amend the rules depending on their preference. The tournament is played bare-footed on the beach, and teams register to participate.