Western kicks off 7s tourney

By ROBINSON LEKA
WESTERN kicked off its inaugural Satellite Sevens rugby union tournament with Masingara village in South Fly hosting the first leg of the tourney over the Christmas weekend.
The tournament was launched by South Fly MP Sekie Agisa last week with up to 50 teams across the district set for the three-leg tournament.
Tournament official Petero Kilori told The National that the tourney had two more weekends with Oriomo-Bituri and Kiwai Rural to host the second and third legs.
“We had up to 24 teams at Masingara for the first leg,” he said.
“That was where we had our first cup champions, Dabaya, who beat Seeds Sevens 19-7 in the final over the Christmas weekend.
“It was great to bring games to this part of the province because during most festive seasons you would have youths drinking and causing nuisance in the villages.
“But the tournament has changed the way they’ve approached the games.
“We got the church and surrounding villages involved.
“We’re excited to continue our second and third legs into the New Year.”
Kilori said the introduction of the tournament was to boost participation from rural teams in South Fly with support from the organisers.
“It has been an eventful Christmas,” he said.
“We’re keen to move forward with our next two legs.
“There is a great amount of rugby talents in this part of the country and we’re excited to see more of them as we move forward.”