The Nakuru Athletics Club is set to mark 100 years of sporting excellence with a series of major sporting and community events expected to attract athletes and fans from across the country.

Club chairman Dr Victor Mwandale Achoka says the centenary celebrations, running from April to July, will feature five hallmark events alongside competitions in more than 13 sports disciplines hosted at the historic facility.

The celebrations will kick off on April 3 with the Great Rift Ten-Aside Rugby Tournament, one of the club’s most iconic competitions. According to Nakuru RFC Director of Rugby Edward Moseti, the tournament,now in its 33rd edition, will feature Division One and Division Two teams, alongside women’s and age-grade categories.

Moseti says the tournament will serve as the opening highlight of the club’s centenary activities while showcasing the strength of grassroots rugby in the region.

"We are seeking to invite international teams including Uganda’s Pirates Rugby Club and South Sudan’s South Sudan Eagles to take part in the competition," Moseti Says

Nakuru RFC Director of Ruby Edward Moseti during a media briefing on March 11, ahead of the 100 year's celebration of Nakuru Athletics Club

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Beyond competition, Moseti notes that the tournament will also pay tribute to individuals who helped build rugby at the club over the decades. Special cups will be dedicated to the club’s fallen heroes and legendary figures, including former coaches, chairmen, and passionate supporters who contributed to the growth of the sport at the club.

“We have always dedicated a significant part of our tournaments to our fallen heroes and example our coach Situma,” Moseti says, adding that their legacy continues to inspire the younger generation of players.

Moseti adds that the club will also organize a Legends match bringing together former rugby stars who once represented the club. The match, dubbed Legends of the West, will see Nakuru legends face off with a Nairobi select side on May 30 at the club grounds.

The match will take place on the eve of the Nakuru Pink Run and will offer fans a rare opportunity to watch some of the club’s former greats return to the pitch in celebration of the club’s history.

According to Dr Achoka ,on April 16, the club will host the popular Rausha Kipaji Cup which is expected to bring together over 400 of young footballers from academies across the country. The tournament focuses on nurturing young talent and providing young players with a platform to showcase their skills.

Achoka notes that the club prides itself on being a community-centered sports facility where young athletes from across the region can develop their talents.

" Beyond the pitch the celebrations will also feature a Gala Dinner on May 16 bringing together sports personalities, partners, and dignitaries to reflect on the club’s century-long journey,"He notes.

Another key highlight will be the Nakuru Pink Run scheduled for May 31, on the eve of Madaraka Day. The 21-kilometre run aims to raise awareness about environmental conservation, particularly the declining population of lesser flamingos in Lake Nakuru National Park.

The celebrations will culminate in July with the prestigious Prinsloo Sevens tournament from July 24 to 26, which will serve as the opening leg of the national sevens circuit.

With competitions ranging from rugby and football to chess, darts, hockey, and volleyball, the centenary celebrations are expected to transform Nakuru into a vibrant hub of sporting activity between April 3 to July 25 while honoring the legacy of Club members, athletes and legends who helped shape the club’s rich history.

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Nakuru Athletic Club to honour club legends, loyal supporters during centenary celebration

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