The all-day event attracted 18 adult teams from across Tanzania and Kenya, turning the venue into a vibrant festival of rugby, food, and family activities
Dar es Salaam. The spirit of sport, community, and fun came alive last Saturday, September 13, as the Dar Leopards Annual Touch Rugby Tournament lit up the Gymkhana Club cricket pitch in Dar es Salaam.
The all-day event attracted 18 adult teams from across Tanzania and Kenya, turning the venue into a vibrant festival of rugby, food, and family activities.
The tournament, which continues to grow in scale and reputation, made a strong effort to be inclusive, giving local and development teams a chance to compete.
Thanks to the support of the French Embassy in Dar es Salaam, several development sides were able to travel and participate, adding further diversity and competitiveness to the field.
The action began in the morning with group stage matches, producing a mix of close encounters and surprise upsets.
Following the pool games, 12 teams advanced to the Bowl, Plate, and Trophy semi-finals. The atmosphere intensified as teams battled for places in the finals, with players showing exceptional skill, speed, and teamwork.
The highlight of the day came in the Trophy category, where semi-final clashes were nothing short of thrilling.
One standout was the clash between Dar Leopards (1) and Iringa Storm, which ended in a draw in regular time before Iringa snatched victory in extra time.
The Storm’s win earned them a spot in the final against the Karen Crusaders of Nairobi. The Trophy final capped the day’s excitement in front of a lively crowd of supporters.
In a fast-paced, end-to-end game, the Crusaders claimed the crown with a 2-1 victory over Iringa Storm, promising to return next year to defend their title.
Elsewhere, Ukonga Warriors triumphed in the Plate competition, while Dar Leopards (3) secured the Bowl.
Individual accolades were also handed out, with Ben Lloyd-Jones winning Best Male Player, Heidi Miller named Best Female, Idrissa taking Best Youth, and James Boorman honored as Best Veteran.
Off the pitch, the event had something for everyone. Families enjoyed a variety of food and beverage options from Burger53, Painted Dog Gin, Tanzania Breweries Ltd., Pepsi, and The Wine & Cheese Shop, along with children’s activities including a bouncy castle, rugby-style games, and even playful puppies from Every Living Thing.
The weekend also featured lively socials, including a Friday night gathering at The Slow Leopard and a Saturday after-party at Santorini Garden Bar, ensuring the fun continued beyond the field.
Organizers expressed gratitude to the Tanzania Rugby Union, the National Sports Council, and the Gymkhana Club for their support.
Sponsors also played a key role in making the tournament possible, with Southern Sun Hotel, The Wine & Cheese Shop, and Kifaru Motors as Silver Sponsors; HIMOINSA Generators and C. Steinweg Group as Bronze Plus sponsors; and DONTA Safari and OLEA East Africa Insurance Solutions as Bronze Sponsors.
Other partners, including GardaWorld, Bagamoyo Salt, and Painted Dog Gin, helped ensure the event’s success.
