Twelve teams have confirmed participation in the second edition of the Lake Victoria 15’s rugby pre-season tournament which kicks off on Saturday.

The event has attracted teams from Nyanza, Western, and Rift Valley regions, according to the tournament director, Eric Ondieki.

The tournament starts at the pre-quarter-final level with Kibabii University hosting Shamberere. Kitale RFC will welcome Bungoma RFC at Mt Kenya University, Kitale Campus grounds.

Vihiga Granites will clash with Sigalagala National Polytechnic while former Kenya Cup side Kisii RFC will face Mbale RFC. Both games will be played at the Kakamega Agriculture Society of Kenya grounds.

Ondieki added that Kenya Cup sides Kabras and Kisumu RFC have been given a direct ticket to the quarter-finals together with KRU Championships sides Western Bulls and Masinde Murilo University of Science and Technology (MMUST).

The winner between Shamberere and Kibabii face a herculean task against Kenya Cup champions, Kabras Sugar in the quarters while the winner between Vihiga Granites and Sigalagala will be up against Western Bulls.

Last year’s finalist MMUST awaits the winner between Mbale and Kisii while Kisumu will play the winner between Bungoma and Kitale.

The quarter-finals will be played on October 28 at Kakamega ASK grounds while the semis are scheduled for November 4 and the finals on November 11 at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu. 

“This tournament will give an opportunity to teams that did not participate in Impala Floodies to prepare for Kenya Cup, KRU Championship and KRU Nationwide,” added Ondieki.

The finals will curtain raise for the Kenya 15’s and Uganda in the Elgon Cup to be played in Kisumu.

Ondieki added that they are currently negotiating with potential tournament sponsors. “Once we reach an agreement, I will definitely let you know. At the moment, we are at an advanced stage,” said Ondieki.