With the conclusion of 2024/2025 Kenya Cup League season, defending champions Kabras Sugar are now aiming to end the campaign on a high note by retaining the Great Rift 10-a-side title this weekend.

The tournament proper starts at Nakuru Athletic Club today after the age grading championships that kicked off yesterday.

The millers who won the 10-a-side title last year amid stiff competition from their rivals are ready to do it again to prove their might and show that last year’s victory did not come on a silver platter.

However, Kenya Cup losing finalists Menengai Oilers are not ready to lose to the same side twice having been beaten 27-26 in the Kenya Cup finals last weekend.

“We are not ready to lose to the same side twice. We are always ready to improve in every event we participate in and this one will not be an exception,” said Oilers coach Ben Kamau.

He said they always use the 10-Aside championships as a development tournament in growing their teams.

Kabras Sugar, who are the top seeds of the event, are in Group A alongside Catholic University Monks, USIU Marshalls and Nakuru KITI.

Fancied Menengai Oilers are in Group B with Strathmore Leos, Egerton Wasps and Kiambu Eagles.

Hosts Nakuru RFC have been drawn in Group C together with Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, Mean Machine and Molo RFC.

A total of 12 teams are battling in the Division One Championships to be held today and tomorrow unlike last year when it was a one-day competition.

Women sides led by Nakuru RFC will equally battle in the Division Championships but organisers were yet to receive full compilation of the participants.

Tournament director Eddy Moseti confirmed that five Kenya Cup sides will grace the event that welcomes the pre-centenary celebrations of Nakuru Athletic Club.

He said there are no cash awards to winners.

However, there will be individuals’ awards which have been sponsored by leading telecommunication company Safaricom.

“There will be no prize money for winners but those who’ll excel in individual capacities will be awarded in the three-day competition,” Moseti told reporters at a press conference at Nakuru Athletic Club on Thursday.

“We have returned to our traditional ways of hosting the event as we seek to improve on it annually.”

Nakuru Athletic Club chairman Victor Achoka said there will be adequate security from the regular and private security agencies.

“All rugby fans are welcomed to this showpiece on a Easter weekend where we expect to have plenty of music from experienced DJs as we sample different cuisines,” said Achoka.

And with the tournament, he said the club has started early centenary celebrations since the formation of the club in 1926.