By FELIX MALUNGA –
DEFENDING champions Red Arrows have withdrawn from the 2015 Ndola Sevens Rugby Championship to be held at Ndola Wanderers Club tomorrow.
Reasons for Arrows’ withdrawal are not clear with club officials only saying the 2015 league champions are unable to travel to Ndola.
Tournament organising committee chairperson, Muleya Moono said apart from Arrows, other teams not coming for the Ndola Sevens were Nchanga and Prisons.
Moono said in a statement yesterday that 12 teams, who include 2014 losing finalists, Nkwazi, would compete for the K7,000 top prize tomorrow.
She said Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF), Diggers and hosts Ndola Wanderers would each field two teams.
According to the draw, Green Buffaloes were seeded first in Pool A where they will battle with Green Eagles, Diggers B and Konkola while Nkwazi will lead Pool B which has Ndola A, Mufulira and Kansanshi.
Pool C has Lusaka, KPF A, Roan Antelope and Ndola B while Chibuluma, Diggers A and KPF B will clash in Pool D.
Moono said Pool D which only has three teams could have one more joining tomorrow in the event where the runners-up were guaranteed of K5,000.
She said 13 companies had come on board to assist her committee raise the K50,000 budget to stage the annual tournament, formerly called Rhino Sevens and later Mosi Sevens.
The sponsors are First Quantum Minerals, Aqua Rent A Dispenser, Corporate Support Solutions, G4S Secure Solutions, JIT Trading, MGK Chartered Accountants, Marton Investment, Zambian Breweries, Ndola City Council, Coastal Hire, Cosy Jo and Southern Cross Motors.