The Kenya Rugby Union hosted the 2019 Barthes Cup tournament at the KCB Sports Club Ruaraka on 4th and 7th of April. Kenya’s #Chipu beat Tunisia 73-0 in the semifinals while Defending Champions Namibia beat Senegal 45-12 on Thursday 4th, both advancing to the final that was played on Sunday 7th. Senegal faced Tunisia in the Bronze match, with the former emerging as the 28-16 winners with Tunisia being relegated to the Barthes Cup Division 1B. In the final, Chipu claimed a 21-18 win over Namibia, the first ever win over Namibia in this category and a first ever African Championship title. The win sees Chipu represent Africa in the Junior World Rugby Trophy Championship in Brazil come July 2019.
The Union thanks all its partners who played a role in ensuring the tournament was a success.
Brookhouse Schools – Tournament Accommodation Partner
KRU and Brookhouse have had a long lasting relationship over the years. A few years back, the Kenya Sevens Team held their training sessions at this institution, in 2014, women’s teams playing in the CAR Africa tournament camped in the school. The current KRU chairman held a Pre-season retreat for Impala Saracens back in 2015 when he was the Chairman. The Late Eric Situma, KRU’s Project Coordinator, held Level 1 courses for the IGCSE and AS/A Level PE students when he was the U15s coach in Brookhouse.
The Barthes Cup teams’ had access to the Institutions’ training facilities during their 6-day stay. Apart from the Accommodation, Brookhouse also complemented the Union’s transport partner with two buses ensuring each team had their own bus when heading to and from the match venue. The Brookhouse-KRU partnership is one we intend on keeping alive as the years go by.
KBC Channel 1 – Tournament Broadcast Partner
KBC Channel 1 aired the matches on Sunday 7th live. “On behalf of KRU, I would like to express our appreciation for the support you offered to the Barthes Cup tournament. As a result of KBC live coverage KRU was able to share an epic moment in the history of Rugby where our U20 Team beat Namibia on Kenyan soil to become the African Champions and now they will represent Africa in the Junior World Rugby Tournament in Brazil in July.” said the CEO
Dasani – Hydration Partner
KRU is grateful for the partnership it has had with Dasani for many years in ensuring the National Teams have enough water for their training sessions day in day out. The U20 teams were well hydrated throughout the tournament week, during their stay at Brookhouse and on match days. The Union looks forward to having you as its continued partners when hosting local and International fixtures in the future.
Isuzu – Transport Partner
Isuzu are the official KRU Transport Partners and their support was felt throughout the tournament. They ensured that the teams got to the match venue with no hiccups whatsoever. KRU looks forward to hosting more International matches with Isuzu as the transport partner.
Kenya Police Service
Kenya Rugby Union thanks the KPS for their continuous support during the International matches the Union has been hosting over the years. We value and appreciate the security measures they put in place at the match venue and going a step further to provide security to the teams when they left Brookhouse for the match venue on both Thursday 4th and 7th April. The Union thanks the Deputy Inspector General Mr. Mbugua through the Regional Commandant in Nairobi, Assistant Inspector General Ndolo.
Homeboyz – Entertainment
Knowing the Barthes Cup crowd would be bigger on Sunday 7th April, KRU and Homeboyz Entertainment joined hands in ensuring there was enough sitting space for all who wanted to come and support Chipu as they faced Africa’s Under 20 Defending Champions, Namibia. Homeboyz provided bleachers on both sides of the pitch and the match day scoreboard.
