Hello! This week, I come bearing good news for you.
Uganda Rugby Union have announced a Return-To-Play strategy for rugby in Uganda.
After a long anxious wait, URU finally announced Saturday, March 6, 2021 as the new date for the country’s return to rugby.
Here is what you need to know:
- The competitions at all levels will observe the Standard Operating Procedures set by the government to control the spread of COVID-19. There will be a limit on the number of people allowed inside the venue to watch the games, thus the union is arranging to have the games broadcast online.
- URU have stated that they will work with the clubs to ensure that players are facilitated to carry out COVID-19 tests before the start of training for the competition. However, some clubs have already began their training programs in small isolated groups.
- School’s rugby stays off due to the current status of the academic calendar in the country.
Men’s Rugby:
- This year’s men’s top tier rugby will be played in a single-leg round robin tournament from March 6, 2021 until May 8, 2021. There will be no relegation at the end of this tournament.
- The ten premiership clubs from last season will take part with the host venue per fixture depending on the home team. Only Rams RUFC are yet to confirm their home ground.
- On the opening weekend, 2020 league champions Heathens will host rivals Black Pirates at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds.
- Regional men’s rugby will be held in three one-day tournaments per region with each region hosting its own tournaments concurrently. There will be no promotional championship event at the end of this tournament.
Women’s Rugby:
- The women will play tens rugby competitions for the return-to-play, from March 6, 2021 until May 1, 2021.
- Regional competitions of at least two tournaments per region will be held in the respective regions before a national finals tournament.
As it stands, clubs and players have under a month to prepare for competitive rugby after being away for more than 325 days. This tournament is going to be a test of squad preparedness, squad depth. It is also going to be an opportunity for wildcards to stake their claim for a call to the respective national teams.
Lest we forget, there still remains some open chapters from the previous season. The trophy and winners’ medals were awarded to champions Heathens in November but it is not public yet whether the sponsorship package directly for the clubs (a maximum of UGX 10million shillings) and prize money, for the clubs and individual awards, were received by their respective recipients.
Read the full report at the conclusion of the 2019/20 season here.
In case you missed it:
- Early on Monday morning, Black Pirates unveiled new signing of Solomon Okia. Pirates head coach Robert Musinguzi said the wing is perfect for the club’s culture and that they are excited to see what he will do for them.
This is the first transfer announced during the 2020/21 off-season. With under a month until rugby resumes, we should be seeing clubs get busier in the market.
- URU also stated the dates on which the 2021 Elgon Cup will be played. The two rounds will be played on June 12, 2021 and July 31, 2021.
It is exactly 30 days until rugby returns to play in Uganda. Let’s have a chat inbox by replying this email or reaching me via ernest@kawowo.com.
Have a good week! Looking forward to hearing from you.
