Guinness 7s: KOBs’ Aredo Emotional Ahead of Mileke Circuit

The opening circuit of the 2021 Guinness 7s which will be held on Saturday and Sunday at Legends, will be played in honour of the Late Patrick Aredo Mileke.

The late who passed on in September 2019 and buried in Mikiya Town (Tororo), was Dad to Rugby players Joseph, Gabriel and Erasmus Aredo.

Together with his wife Deborah Sifuna, Mileke was a regular attendant of most games and a role model to the Rugby fraternity.

Ahead of the Mileke 7s, Betway Kobs captain Joseph Aredo says that the circuit is “so special” because it “honours Dad.”

“Its very special to me because we get to celebrate Dad and of course the living Legends among us, we get to celebrate these individuals and we thank Warriors who have come out to appreciate these legends for their service to the Sport,” Aredo told The-SportsNation.

Mother Deborah Sifuna Milkee and Joseph Aredo holding the portrait of late Patrick Mileke Aredo. Courtesy photo

The Mileke 7s will also recognise; Late Henry Rujumba, Late Edward Kitaka, Robert Seguya, Hellen Koyokoyo Buteme, Allan Musoko, The Musokes and the Mudoolas (Fred, Timothy, Charlotte and Theresa).

Aredo added: “Its an amazing feeling to be able to rub shoulders with these living legends of the Sport.”

“I will want to win this circuit because it means a lot to me.”

Aredo studied at Shimoni Demonstration School, Namilyango College before joining Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology.

“I picked up Rugby when I was in my P.7, Gab (Gabriel) in S.1. Era (Erasmus) in A’Level,” Aredo adds.

“Dad was against the idea of us playing Rugby originally but with time he decided to learn the Sport and encouraged us to play it at every level.

“Us to be playing it at this level is amazing. It reminds us of him, we used to have many Rugby conversations. He was a Pan African so he used to support Kenya and South Africa sevens besides Uganda. To him, it was more than just a Sport, It had become our way of living and some mornings we would watch games together.”

Betway KOBs Out To Defend Title

The Guiness Sevens returns after missing out in 2020 due to Covid19.

Betway KOBs won the title in 2019, finishing on top with 154 points, ahead of Black Pirates.

“Its an amazing feeling to have Rugby back. We commend Uganda Rugby Union for this, the fact that we have future engagements coming back soon, its good to see that we have taken the big leap and decided to start the Sport,” Aredo added.

“We are thankful that Guinness joined and decided to be the sponsor this year. We hope that everything goes smoothly with SOPs and by the time we end we are in place where we want to be and in good shape in preparation for the next tournament.

Having also won the 2021 Rugby Premiership, Aredo says that they are still hungry for more.

Soroti and Kabale Circuits have been added on this year’s calendar.

“With the new circuits, I have never been in Kabale and Soroti to play Rugby, its great to know that Rugby has reached the far east and South East, its a great milestone to know that other regions are putting up a show.”

On team preparations, Aredo said that they began preparations for the Sevens about a month back and he feels that they are ready for the first leg.

“Players have been doing their personal pre seasonal work outs since we ended the season, by the time they announced that Rugby 7s were coming up, many of our players were not badly off,” Aredo revealed.

“We have worked on our fitness and team boding, we are looking good and ready to present our best foot forward.

“Every team is going to come against us, we are not going to slack because we are the defending champions, everyone is going to be gunning at us but we will play each game as a final.”

Saturday fixture

Betway KOBs Squad

Players – Byron Oketayot, Faraji Odugo, Ian Munyani, Adrian Kasito, Emmanuel Ecodu, Pius Ogena, Joseph Aredo, Al Haji Manano, Karim Arinaitwe, James Ijongat, Aaron Jurua

Officials
Coaches – Davis Kyewalabye, Timothy Mudoola

Medical team – Noah Kayongo, Faith Komagum

Team Manager – Andrew Ikopit


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