The national rugby federation needs to raise the standards of rugby in Rwanda if the men’s national rugby side-Silverbacks are to stand a chance of competing in regional international tournaments like the Safari sevens.

Silverbacks’ only appearance in the tournament which counts as Africa’s premier rugby tournament came  back in 2007, but the team has since been overlooked following its jagged display that year.

The federation’s vice president also one of the most experienced players in Rwanda Gerald Nsenga reckons that one of the ways to push for appearances in such tournaments is to improve the standards of rugby by trying to professionalise the sport.

This year’s Safari Sevens edition got underway yesterday. The three-day tournament has attracted Uganda, Zimbabwe, Japan, Zambia, Morocco, Tunisia, Botswana, Tanzania, Les Blues, Samoa, Bristol, Shujaa, Grenoble and hosts Kenya.

South Africa won the 2006 and 2007 editions before losing the title to Kenya last year.

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