The first ever beach rugby tournament took off in Lamu county last weekend with a total of five teams registering for the inaugural tournament.
The tournament attracted teams rich with talent among them Malindi Turtles Rugby Club, Safaricom Hook, Lamu Rugby Club, Nys Witu Rugby Club, Witu Rugby Club .
The Lamu Beach Rugby first ever tournament was played on the sandy beaches from Friday November 29 to Monday December 2nd, 2024 with series of activities.
The Tournament was organized by Jenniffer Wairimu,the Executive Director of Waridi Foundation under the Waridi Foundation organization
This is the first edition of Lamu beach rugby tournament and fourth edition of the tournament which in the previous years, the series have been taking place at the mainland.
According to Wairimu, the tournament is aimed at promoting sport tourism ,nurture talent in Lamu county , counter violent extremism and promote mental health among young men in Lamu county.
Wairimu noted that the Waridi Foundation has a purpose to bring together youths to pass the message of peace and cohesion among them using sports which is a unifying factor because sport passes the message across well so as it converges people together. I
This tournament attracted over 500 people.
“I love to support Rugby as a game and Lamu Rugby Tournament is an initiative of Waridi Foundation that we began in 2017 with only 4 teams. It’s a game of strong, muscular, wit and sprinters who are so disciplined. They never fight for because they are strong ,They don’t beat people or fight after they don’t win but they Fight for the balls. They fight to be the first to put the ball down first ,Interesting game indeed that all sportsmen and women ought to embrace,” Ms Jenniffer Wairimu explained.
“We shall support this great game because it’s show might in mind and bring young people together even during this Lamu cultural festival,” said Hon. Musembi Joshua.
The tournament attracted various partners among them Simply feminine, FINSCO Africa, Musembi Foundation, 2 degree South ,Well wishers and other firms.
The Lamu Beach Rugby Weekend activities were the two tournament, planting of trees and donate Pada where together with the rugby players, the organisers shared more about carbon credit and menstrual health and hygiene.
Malindi Turtles emerged winners of the tournament with Safaricom 7s , Lamu Rugby Club, Nys Witu and Witu 7 taking the other slots.
RESULTS
Game 1- Mld turtles 3 – 00 Nys
Game 2-Lamu 2 -1 Witu
Game 3-Turtles 4 –
00 Witu
Game 4 -Nys 00 – 01 Lamu
Game 5-Turtles 00 – 00 Safaricom
Game 6-Witu 01 – Nys 01
Game 7 -Lamu 00- 00 Safaricom hook
Game 8 -Witu 01 – 02 Safaricom
Game 9-Lamu 00 – 04 turtles
Game 10-Nys 00 -04 Safaricom.