The Kenya Rugby Union has entered into a partnership with Tatu City, an urban development project in Nairobi, in a bid to boost the country’s development in the 15-a-side format of the sport.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, although the Capital FM website claimed Tatu City would initially provide KES5m (€44,500/$49,400) in sponsorship for Kenya’s two Test matches against Hong Kong next month. The games will take place in capital city Nairobi on August 23 and August 27.
Tatu City will also back Kenya’s game against Uganda on July 30, and lend its support to the KRU’s ‘Get Into Rugby’ youth programme.
“Tatu City coming on board as associate test sponsor plays a big role in ensuring that we are able to comfortably host Test matches,” KRU chairman Richard Omwela said. “Our partnership will play a significant role in developing and raising the profile of Test rugby in Kenya.”
The partnership is designed to aid Kenya’s push for qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Kenya has never qualified for the showpiece event.