The Mauritius 7s Afrique, a premier rugby tournament, is set to kick off at the SPARC complex in Cascavelle on October 3-4. This year's event marks a significant change in venue, moving from Labourdonnais to the western region of the island. According to Kevin Venkiah, president of the Mauritius Rugby Federation (MRF), the new location was chosen to attract a broader and more diverse audience. The SPARC complex is more accessible for teams from Curepipe and Dagotière.
The tournament has undergone several changes, including a postponement from its original June date due to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, which was one of the participating nations. The Senegalese team was initially set to replace Uganda, but the competition was ultimately canceled. This year, the event features a new lineup of teams, including South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Madagascar, and host nation Mauritius. The tournament will also include a special participation from La Réunion, with their points not counting towards the official classification.
One of the notable innovations of this year's event is the introduction of a women's tournament, featuring four teams: La Réunion, South Africa, Morocco, and Mauritius. The Mauritian women's team, ranked among the top 10 African nations, will be motivated to perform well in front of their home crowd. The team has been training hard under the guidance of their coach, Shawn Swaney. The inclusion of women's rugby is a significant step forward for the sport in Mauritius.
The Mauritius 7s Afrique has traditionally been a crucial event for teams vying for a spot in the World Rugby Sevens Series. However, this year's tournament will not serve as a qualifier due to World Rugby's deadline passing. The Zimbabwean team has secured a spot in the Sevens Series after winning the previous tournament. Despite this, the event remains a vital platform for teams to showcase their skills and prepare for future competitions.
Kevin Venkiah has confirmed that this year's event will be the last Mauritius 7s Afrique, with the competition set to move to Morocco next year. The MRF plans to launch a new international invitational tournament, the Mauritius International Sevens, featuring top teams from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. The new event aims to build on the success of the existing tournament and provide a platform for teams to compete against top international opponents.
The event has attracted a significant number of sponsors, including Ciel, Médine, Legend Hill, MJ Développement, the Ministry of Sports, and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA). The tournament's organizers have reported strong ticket sales, with over 1,200 tickets sold to the general public and all 40 VIP tables booked. The event is expected to draw a large crowd, with many fans purchasing tickets on the day of the tournament.
As the Mauritius 7s Afrique prepares to kick off, teams are gearing up for a thrilling competition. The event promises to be an exciting showcase of rugby talent, with a new location, expanded lineup, and innovative women's tournament. The Mauritius Rugby Federation is committed to promoting the sport and developing new initiatives, including the proposed Mauritius International Sevens.
Key points
- The 4th edition of the Mauritius 7s Afrique will take place at the SPARC complex in Cascavelle from October 3-4.
- The event features a new lineup of teams and a women's tournament, marking a significant step forward for women's rugby in Mauritius.
- This year's event will be the last Mauritius 7s Afrique, with the competition set to move to Morocco next year.
