Rugby league returns with Shs300m boost

Pirates operations manager Solomon Ssendigya, URU’s Ramsey Olinga, Jinja Hippos chairman Jonan Manzi and Nile Breweries’ Francis Nyende after signing the deal yesterday. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

KAMPALA.

Uganda Rugby Union (URU) and Nile Special have confirmed a partnership in which the latter will avail Shs 300m for the smooth running of the 18-week Nile Special Premiership, which kicks off today.
The deal will be welcomed by league stakeholders as a major boost since it doubles what the brewers tabled for the 2016/2017 campaign. Half of the sponsorship package will come in cash while the rest will cover game day activations like Man of the Match awards and publicity.
Referees, league supervision and officials’ transportation have a budget of Shs27.9m while the total prize money has been placed at Shs32.5m.
The partnership also has room for the teams’ development grant which will see clubs financially rewarded on basis of how they score in different aspects in the league with Shs90m up for grabs for all the ten sides.
“We shall audit the clubs and there is already a process in place on how they will be rewarded depending on how they score,” URU Ceo Ramsey Olinga told the press conference yesterday.
Olinga noted that with the national sevens players` full availability out of question because of upcoming engagements, clubs are expected to build depth for stability by going back to schools and universities to recruit players, which will also help them score points to get a taste of the development grant.

No pressure as Rhinos Kick off
Shell Rimula Rhinos have spent money and have not shied from admitting they want to win the league. Their campaign kicks off today against a stubborn Warriors side but coach Brian Makalama says there is no pressure to achieve in his camp.
“No pressure, we are just working smartly to improve,” he told Daily Monitor while his Warriors counterpart Gabriel Aredo is confident they are ready for the showdown despite a few setbacks here and there. “We are ready and have to show up tomorrow. We have season objectives but still have lots to sort out,” he said.
The league resumes tomorrow with four more games.

NILE SPECIAL PREMIERSHIP

PLAYING TODAY: 5.00pm
Warriors vs. Rhinos
Tomorrow
Hippos vs. Heathens
Impis vs. Pirates
Rams vs. Kobs
Warriors vs. Rhinos
Mongers vs. Buffaloes