The organizers of this year’s Hima-Mak 10s are working round the clock to raise the Shs80m (Frw 28m) budget for the tournament. With less than a month to the regional tourney, there are reports indicating that the organizers are still Shs20m short of the required budget. The annual challenge is set for November 8-9 at Kyadondo rugby grounds and Rwanda’s Remera Buffaloes will be there to test their credentials on the regional scene. The 2008 National rugby league champions are eager to mend Rwanda’s sour reputation in the tournament. For the past two years, Rwandan clubs (Lion de Fers and Gorillas) have struggled to make their presence felt. “Rwandan clubs have always struggled in the tournament but we are training hard to try and change that,” Buffaloes’ forward Gerard Nsenga said. Meanwhile, the record six-time champions Makerere University Hima Impis have also expressed their determination to win the trophy for an unprecedented seventh time. After last year’s heroics from Kenya’s Mwamba RFC, more Kenyan clubs have been attracted to the two-day tournament. According to a Ugandan newspaper, Kenya Harlequins, Impala, Mean Machine, Mwamba and Strathmore University have confirmed participation taking the club tally to 16; six foreign and ten local clubs. Shs3.5m is at stake for the overall winner. Ends
