The Ghana Rugby Union Players Association (GRUPA) is poised for the launch of the maiden edition of the GRUPA Sevens Rugby Festival and has received a major boost from two leading brands to support the event.

The association comprises of rugby players in Ghana and the first of its kind for players in any sports discipline in Ghana.

With guidance from Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), one of the fastest growing national sports federations, the event organized by the players will be an avenue to showcase the beautiful game of rugby.

The launch scheduled for Saturday 4th September will be a curtain raiser for the Sevens Rugby Festival which will take place on 12th September, 2015.

The President of GRUPA, Mr. Michael Ako Wilson explained that the objective of the festival is to create awareness and build unity within members of the association. According to him, it will also create a platform to teach players about management of clubs and other off field aspects of the “gentleman’s game”.

“We hope to make it an annual event with participation from other African countries. Rugby builds a healthy body and mind.

It teaches team work and the principles can be applied in any field to help you succeed in life. We encourage everyone to come and learn about rugby and look forward to the competition itself on September 12,” Mr. Wilson, the national captain added.

He further thanked the sponsors and appealed to other corporate bodies for support in order to address the major challenge for Ghana Rugby which is funding.

The event has attracted the attention of International Brands Ghana, importers of T’ Best Natural Juice who donated cartoons of assorted juice, T- Shirts and other products to herald the festival.

Mr. Ronnie Amartefio, the Events and Sponsorship Director for the company revealed in an interview that they are looking forward to being the official drink sponsor of Ghana rugby as the game resonates with the fitness and healthy living campaign of their natural juice products.

“Every leading sports activity in Ghana is important to us. I believe Ghana rugby is an evolving brand with a huge potential hence we decided to come on board to support the good initiative by the association”.

Tema based Wish Bone Commodities; producers of Royal Atlantic Tuna also presented cartons of chunk and flake tuna to support the game which is gaining a fast popularity among the youth.

Mr. Ernest Okyere, the Director of the company noted during the presentation that, it was time corporate bodies divert their attention from already established sports disciplines and invest in Rugby which he believes will soon be a major sporting event in Ghana.

“If we associate with a sport like Rugby we can grow with the brand and reach higher heights,” he added.

There will be participation from all the rugby clubs in the country and other stakeholders at the unveiling event. Various activities have been lined up including tag rugby, women rugby and a kicking competition with various prizes at stake.

An Executive Member of the GRFU and National Rugby Tournament Commissioner, Mr. Steve Noi commended the initiative of the players. He lauded the companies who have shown support and thanked Mr. Herbert Mensah, under whose leadership there has been a transformation in Ghana Rugby. He was hopeful of more support from various stakeholders to help place Ghana on the Rugby world map.