Sponsorship
In the first year the tournament was run on a shoe-string budget provided by the Rugby Patrons Society and the KRFU. In its second year the tournament was sponsored by East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), the makers of Tusker beer and became known as the Tusker Safari Sevens.
In 2008, EABL sponsored the event with a donation of KSh24 million. In 2009 this was increased to KSh 26 million, of which KSh20 million was allocated to go directly to KRFU for the running of the tournament and for their development work in Kenya. The other KSh6 million was earmarked to be spent on various peripheral supports, most notably media during the event.
EABL remained the sponsors up to, and including, the 2009 event; Safaricom became the main sponsor in 2010 and the tournament changed its name to the Safaricom Sevens to reflect this. Safaricom donated KSh25 million, which was to be divided into two parts; Ksh22 million being directed towards the running of the annual tournament, the remaining KSh3 million was spent on sponsoring a Media Centre at the event.
Read more about this topic: Safari Sevens