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The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has announced a touch rugby tournament slated for Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the RFUEA Grounds in an effort to raise funds for the World U20 Trophy tour.

The Kenya Rugby U20 men’s team, popularly referred to as Chipu is scheduled to compete in the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 that will take place in Scotland from July 2-17, 2024.

Played over four match days at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, it will be contested by eight teams fighting for promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025.

“This Saturday, June 22, 2024, Friends of Chipu and KRU will be hosting a touch tournament to fundraise for the team as they head to Scotland for the World Rugby U20 Trophy,” the statement on social media reads.

U20 predicament

Barely weeks after Kenya 7s’ promotion back to the World Series in Madrid and the celebrations that followed, Chipu’s predicament can only come as a surprise.

Promises from the Ministry of Sports led by Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to support the national teams, including tripling their allowances, seem to have stopped at that, promises.

The U20 side won the Barthes Cup in Zimbabwe to confirm their participation in the second-tier global showcase for the U20 category that includes the USA, Netherlands, and Uruguay.

Chipu head coach Simon Jawichre while speaking to People Sport acknowledged the tough challenge that the tournament poses while remaining confident of good results from an impressive Chipu class of 2024.

“It is a big assignment and we want to and strongly believe we will post better results than the previous tournament. we know we will not get away with some of the mistakes we got away with in Zimbabwe,” Jawichre said.

With under two weeks left before Chipu kickoff their promotion campaign in Scotland, questions around the ministry’s support of the development of the game keep arising.

Supporters turning up for the touch rugby fundraiser will pay Ksh300 as entry fees.

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