Kampala — As the curtain falls on the 2008 Uganda rugby calendar, there cannot be a bigger way to crown another great year of breathtaking action than the biggest regional club tournament- the Hima-Makerere 10s that gets underway this morning at the Kampala and Kyadondo RFC grounds.

A brand new style of rugby is expected as the teams battle for a total cash prize of Shs8m in the 16th edition of annual tourney.

Every local club will be on a mission to restore pride after Kenyan sides, Mwamba RFC (Main Cup) and Nondies (Plate) dictated proceedings twelve months ago. Mwamba were the first side foreign side to win the tourney.

It promises to be the biggest 10s tourney with MTN Heathens (last year's finalists) the main hopes for the thousands of home fans expected to roar their voices hoarse as an act of patriotism.

The return of 2007 MVP Robert Sseguya, Jonathan 'Bishop' Onen and youngsters Michael Wokorach and Brian Kikawa from representing Uganda in the botched bid to qualify for the 7s Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Dubai should uplift Heathens.

"We must better our performance of last year and not only win the cash (Shs3.5m) but also keep the trophy home," Heathens team manager Roger Ssebina told Saturday Monitor. Heathens are in pool B alongside Kenya's Mean Machine, Buffaloes and Cente Rhinos.

Tournament hosts Makerere University Hima Impis who are in pool C with G4S Pirates, UCU-Mukono and Kenya's KCB are banking on the magic of former Shaka (Impis captain) Herbert Wafula for inspiration in the dugout. "I have a cohesive unit in this team but it's important to concentrate on our strengths," Wafula who is famed for his incredible self belief said.

League and Cup winners' utl Kobs will carry huge hopes for the locas who are anxious to check top seeds Mwamba RFC, Nile and Rwanda Buffaloes in pool A. "All I can say is that we are ready. After winning the league, this (Hima 10s crown) will be a big bonus," coach Fred Mudoola stated.

National 7s skipper Allan Musoke and the supremely talented but enigmatic Simon Wakabi are expected to lead Kobs charge. Hima Cement is joined by Standard Chartered Bank, MTN, Nile Breweries, UAP Insurance, G4S and IET in sponsoring the annual tournament.