The 2024 Elgon Cup has been rescheduled, as Kenya and Uganda focus on aligning their schedules with critical upcoming international rugby commitments. In a joint announcement, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) and the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) confirmed that the two-leg tournament will now take place in November, with the first match set for November 9 in Nairobi, Kenya, and the second on November 16 in Kampala, Uganda.
The decision to delay the tournament comes amid logistical challenges and competing priorities, particularly as both unions prepare for the 2025 Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Originally scheduled to begin on November 2 in Uganda, the tournament was adjusted to provide the teams with more time to prepare for both the Elgon Cup and the World Cup qualification pathway.
Collaboration Amid Challenges
The joint statement from the rugby unions emphasized the cooperative effort behind the rescheduling. Both sides expressed their appreciation to fans and stakeholders for their patience and understanding. With the World Cup qualifiers looming, the unions acknowledged the difficulty of balancing commitments while delivering an exciting and competitive Elgon Cup.
Despite its importance in East African rugby, the Elgon Cup’s rescheduling reflects a pragmatic approach to managing limited resources. Both Kenya and Uganda have been grappling with financial constraints, and with the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, there have been discussions about prioritizing international ambitions over regional tournaments.
An insider within the Kenyan camp hinted at the possibility of shelving the Elgon Cup entirely to focus on World Cup preparations. “There is a feeling within the team that we should be focusing more on the qualifiers. The Elgon Cup is important, but the World Cup presents a bigger opportunity for both nations,” the source revealed.
Preparation for a Competitive Tournament
Despite the challenges, Kenya has moved forward with preparations for the rescheduled Elgon Cup matches. A 35-man squad has been named, and the team will participate in a residential training camp in Kakamega, aimed at refining their tactics and building team cohesion. Head coach Jerome Paarwater, who has been instrumental in the team’s development, retained most of the core players who competed in the Rugby Africa Cup.
There are, however, some notable absentees from the squad. Bryceson Adaka, a key player, will miss the tournament due to an injury sustained earlier in the year. Furthermore, several foreign-based players, including Andrew Siminyu and Thomas Okeyo (both based in South Africa) and Malcolm Onsando (playing in Romania), will be unavailable for the Elgon Cup matches.
The Simbas, as the Kenyan national team is known, last competed in the Africa Cup in July and have not assembled since. The upcoming matches will serve as valuable preparation for the World Cup qualifiers, allowing Paarwater to assess the team’s progress and make any necessary tactical adjustments.
Uganda’s Preparations and Strategic Challenges
For Uganda, the rescheduled Elgon Cup provides a vital opportunity to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers on home soil. Uganda is expected to play a key role in the qualification pathway, with a potential quarterfinal showdown against Kenya on the cards. Both teams will be eager to build momentum from the Elgon Cup matches, using them as a platform to assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Uganda’s rugby leadership has echoed similar concerns about balancing regional competitions with international priorities. The logistical challenges of hosting matches and managing travel costs have added pressure on the union’s resources. However, the Uganda Rugby Union remains committed to fielding a competitive team and making the most of the rescheduled tournament.
Women’s Elgon Cup Canceled Due to Conflicts
In a strategic move reflecting the packed international rugby calendar, the women’s edition of the Elgon Cup has been canceled. The decision came at the request of the Kenya Rugby Union, which cited a scheduling conflict with the upcoming Women’s Rugby Africa 7s tournament. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, on November 9-10, will feature both Kenya and Uganda, making it impractical for either team to field competitive squads for the Elgon Cup at the same time.
Uganda’s rugby authorities have expressed understanding of Kenya’s situation, acknowledging the difficulties of managing multiple commitments. Both unions agreed that the focus should be on ensuring strong performances in the Africa 7s tournament, which holds significant importance in the women’s rugby landscape.
Implications for the Future of Regional Rugby
The rescheduling and partial cancellation of the Elgon Cup reflect broader challenges facing regional rugby competitions in Africa. With limited funding and an increasingly congested international calendar, unions are often forced to make difficult decisions about which tournaments to prioritize.
While the Elgon Cup has traditionally served as a symbol of the rugby rivalry between Kenya and Uganda, the growing significance of World Cup qualification pathways has shifted focus toward international competitions. Both unions recognize the need to invest resources wisely, ensuring that their teams are fully prepared for the challenges of World Cup qualifiers.
The men’s Elgon Cup matches in November will still provide an exciting opportunity for players and fans, though there is an understanding that these games are now more of a stepping stone toward the larger goal of World Cup qualification.
Conclusion
As Kenya and Uganda gear up for the rescheduled Elgon Cup, the tournament will offer both teams a chance to fine-tune their strategies and assess their squads ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. However, the adjustments made to the tournament also highlight the difficulties facing regional rugby competitions in Africa, where unions must navigate financial constraints and conflicting schedules.
For both nations, the focus remains on delivering competitive performances, not only in the Elgon Cup but also in the high-stakes World Cup qualifiers. The upcoming matches in Nairobi and Kampala will be crucial in building momentum and unity within the squads, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting year of rugby ahead.
