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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
A RUGBY fiesta is on cards starting today with two Sevens tournaments set for Harare in both the men’s and women’s categories as more than 40 teams battle for honours in the respective tournaments.

For the first time this year, women’s rugby will be in action as they take part in the International Women’s Day Sevens rugby tournament at Old Hararians Sports Club tomorrow.

Twelve schools teams are expected to play in the junior category where the likes of Girls High, Vainona, Royal College, Mbare High, Goromonzi, George Staark, Kuwadzana 2 High, Dzivaresekwa 1 High, Lord Malvern and Tafara will take part amongst others.

However, according to women’s rugby chairperson Abigail Mnikwa, there are four senior teams set to take part and these are, Harare Sports Club, Police Defenders and hosts Harare Sports Club.

“Its the first tournament we will be playing this year and as Zimbabwe women’s rugby will be joining the rest of the world through World Rugby who have encouraged this initiative of celebrating women’s achievements with this year running under the theme Make it Happen.

“This means we will be celebrating the Zimbabwe women who play, administer and support the game. Mostly we will be celebrating the players themselves as they are the ones who make the game happen in Zimbabwe,” said Mnikwa.

But the weekend action will start today at Old Georgians Sports Club with the final round of the Sevens Summer Series where the hosts will once again be crowned as the champions having won the first two rounds of the men’s tournament.

In the first round, the Dragons senior side captained by Graham Kaulback thrashed former champions Harare Sports Club before making light work of Old Hararians seven days ago and this was good enough to put them in a position that allows them to defend their title.

Like the women’s tournament, the Summer Series will also be divided into two categories being the schools and club but according to Sevens chairman Donald “Brasco” Mangenje there will be fewer school teams due to the clash of sporting events.

“We will have eight schools in this leg compared to the sixteen schools that we have had over the past two weeks. Schools have had to balance sevens rugby with athletics and I am sure it has not been an easy task. I applaud all the schools that have taken part so far. Suffice to say, the current group of players will be our future Olympic athletes and we will ensure that they continue to play.

“This will be the final week for the clubs (tournament) before the Cheetahs go into camp in preparation for the Hong Kong tournament at the end of March. We will continue with the schools and will engage on possible venues,” said Mangenje.

Churchill Bulldogs are expected to lift the schools tournament having won their last two rounds, where the likes of Prince Edward, St Georges College, Mbare, Allan Wilson and Mbare Academy will also be taking part.