Eldoret Polytechnic Rugby Club (Eldopoly RFC) head coach Michael Tank Otieno and captain Armstrong Milimo are confident of making a strong impression at the 17th edition of Prinsloo 7s tournament where 20 teams are set to battle for honours at the Nakuru Athletics Club (NAC) this weekend as the 2026 National Sevens Circuit gets underway.
The event, scheduled for July 25 – 26, will bring together some of Kenya’s leading men’s and women’s rugby clubs for two days of high-intensity action.
Dailysport.co.ke/ visited their last minute training as the institution continues to strengthen its unique partnership between students, alumni and the wider community.
The Eldoret based institution lies in pool D alongside AP Warriors, Stallions Rugby, and Molo Rugby Club
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Eldoret Polytechnic Sports Officer Musa Kibet said the institution has embraced sport as a key pillar alongside academics, with rugby playing a central role in bringing together trainees, graduates and residents from the surrounding community.
“We are an academic giant in TVET education, but we also place great emphasis on sports, especially rugby. The game has united our students, the community and our alumni,” said Kibet.
He noted that the institution has invested heavily in supporting the Eldopoly Community Rugby Club by recruiting trainees to strengthen the squad while ensuring the team remains a platform that represents the entire community rather than students alone.
“Currently we have the Eldopoly Community team, and this is more than just a learning institution. It is a combination of the entire community. Around 95 percent of our players and technical bench come from the surrounding community,” he said.
Kibet observed that rugby within the TVET sector still faces challenges due to a shortage of qualified personnel despite the presence of technical institutions in nearly every constituency. However, he believes Eldoret Polytechnic has become a model by attracting experienced personnel, including a passionate medical team that supports the players throughout the season.
“As an institution, we believe education should go hand in hand with co-curricular activities. Sports help us fight social challenges such as drug abuse while also increasing the visibility of our institution,” he added.
The institution has enjoyed success in both the 15-a-side and sevens formats. Last season, the team emerged among the best in the Rift Valley region before falling to Sigalagala in the quarter-finals. This year, Kibet says the target is to challenge for the national 15s title while continuing to build a competitive sevens outfit.
Eldopoly operates two separate rugby teams: the Polytechnic team that competes in Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) Games under eligibility regulations, and the independent Eldopoly Community Rugby Club. The institution supports both teams by providing transport and meals, while player selection is purely based on merit regardless of whether one is a student.
Former Kenya Sevens (Shujaa) and Kenya Simbas player and coach Michael “Tank” Otieno, who mentors the side, praised the discipline and commitment shown by the squad.
“I came in to support and mentor the players, and what attracted me was the integration of the community into the team. The players are disciplined and focused,” said Otieno.
The experienced tactician emphasized that success depends on preparation and selecting players based on current form.
“As coaches, we always pick the players who are performing best. What you put into training determines the results you get on the pitch,” he said.
Otieno acknowledged that Division Two of the National Sevens Circuit has become increasingly competitive, with familiar opponents such as Stallions and newly promoted AP Warriors expected to provide stern tests.
“We have a young team that we want to expose to high-level competition. Our immediate target is to finish strongly and earn qualification for the next tournament in Dala, but our long-term ambition is promotion to the top tier,” he added.
They will open the championships against AP Warriors at 10:20AM followed by Molo Rugby Club at 12:00PM and conclude pool matches against Stallions at 3:00PM.
The coach also stressed the importance of mental preparation, travel management and player discipline throughout tournament weekends.
“Preparation begins before the first whistle. We have to manage the travel, recovery and the players’ conduct. If you don’t prepare players properly, problems will arise,” he noted.
Team captain Armstrong Milimo expressed confidence that Eldopoly is ready for the challenge at Prinsloo 7s despite being drawn in a competitive Pool D.
“We have prepared well and we are excited about the tournament. Being in Pool D motivates us because we know we can compete against the best,” said Milimo.
He said the team is determined to restore top-level rugby in Eldoret while inspiring the local community.
“We want to bring top rugby back to Eldoret as sons of the soil. There are many new teams on the circuit and we expect exciting, fast rugby. Our goal is to become champions, earn promotion to Division One and continue playing good rugby for our institution and the community.”
Milimo also confirmed that the squad heads into the tournament injury-free.
“Everyone is fit, motivated and ready. We expect good results and we want to reward the institution for the support it has given us.”