UG Cup rings season bells

Kampala. The culmination of the National Sevens Series in late August signalled the end of the Uganda rugby calendar which saw Hima Heathens win the league while Betway Kobs had a better return with both the Uganda Cup and Sevens Series.

For local rugby fans, the wait for competitive local rugby is almost done as the Uganda Cup draw, the calendar’s first tournament, was made on Friday at the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) secretariat in Lugogo.

Fans will shift some attention away from the ongoing World Cup in Japan with a week to the November 2 final as the Uganda Cup kicks off on October 26 at eight different venues. The sixteen team competition arrives to its first round draw by pitting last year’s top eight sides against the last eight, with the latter as hosts.

“The last eight sides are required to come here (secretariat) and draw sides form the first eight. The last eight will also host the opening round games,” said URU’s Robert Bwaali.

Holders and seven-time champions Kobs kick start their title campaign in Mbale against the Elephants as runners up, Stanbic Bank Pirates, visit debutants Kisubi pacers.

Impis, who recently secured Super 10 promotion hosts record champions Heathens who have bagged the title 11 times. Sides have already cut their off season short with training resuming in all camps on top of warm up games as the long season looms. Bwali also warned sides to complete all transfer business as mandated to avoid inconveniences.

“There might be all these speculations but no transfer has been finalised as no forms have been filled and handed in. Maybe clubs want to do all their business and hand in at once but the deadline is 24 hours to first round kick off,” said Bwali.