Weekly Ramble

Now that the dust has settled and we're in our normal stride, I think it is time to sit back and take stock of what we are, where we are, and where we want to be. Two posts by Ruggerbug come to mind here. You can review them here and here. We have had a largely successful season so far, by our standards. We have successfully hosted the Junior World Rugby Trophy and the Safari Sevens. That is no mean feat on its own and we are still to host the Africa Under 19 Championships later this year. That we are patting ourselves on the back for pulling this off is great because I also would not have imagined it possible.

That a union with no transparent leadership or way of doing things can pull the wool over so many people's eyes is indeed a mean feat. The Government is impressed, the President is impressed and all the other federations who gatecrashed the Rugby Luncheon hosted by His Excellency the President. They all think Richard Omwela is a god and has a midas touch. And that the rugby fraternity is squabble free, with no issues blowing up in the press, no fights for supremacy, and that it is a mere $1M operation means it does not attract the hawks that circle anywhere there is money to be eaten made. That the union is so small and tight means the following.

Time is saved by single sourcing of goods and supplies. There are no vested interests in the union hence all will agree with the suggested vendor.
Money is saved since everyone is a volunteer. All the people who worked during the JWRT and the Safari Sevens volunteered their services free of charge. This saved hundreds of thousands of shillings that were now used to fly in fake Samoa, Japan, France, South Africa and other core teams of the IRB circuit who demanded hefty allowances as well. This also saved money to be paid to the players as bonuses for their sterling season.
Time and money is saved by not advertising for volunteers. With the union old boy network, everyone knows someone who can volunteer their services, saving the union time and money in advertising, vetting, interviewing and finally selecting volunteers.
The grounds are adequate for our needs. Just a fan could not have been more accurate in his assessment. We can only take so many people into the grounds. That three quarters for them pay the full fare and only getting standing room should be understood by all, and after all, they could have worked their way into the hospitality tents like we did. And once the grounds are full, those are all the fans the union needs. The rest can go watch on television. After all, we negotiated with SuperSport to televise the games live for such people.

But I ramble as usual. What is needed is a stakeholders forum to chart the way forward. Transparency in terms of accountability is also paramount. US$ 1M may be kids change to some, but to others, it is more than their whole world. And there must be consensus in everything, fixtures, team selection criteria/methodology, club support for selections (last year the union threatened to ban clubs who did not release their players to the National teams) and lastly, transparency, or did I say that already? Point being all grumbling is caused by lack of transparency and doing things in secrecy. Cronyism and nepotism are at a new level in this union and it's simply a matter of who licks who's a$$. And yet the SOYA people will still be convinced that this is the best run federation in this country once more. I wonder if success on the field is a reflection of the level of management?

For me the serious things that need consideration is the upgrade of the grounds to have every spectator able to sit, take a piss and enjoy the game. Barring that.. facility sharing arrangements need to be put in place. Remember, it is not the success of your team that will give you international events, it is the facilities and infrastracture you control.. and that is why Hong Kong and Dubai will always get the nod ahead of us (remember there were 7's legs in Shanghai and Singapore as well!!). Secondly, a way to translate the success of the 7's team to the 15's. I'm no expert on that and I have my ideas.. but let's all share the ideas and come up with an agreeable way forward. Barring that a complete severance of the teams from each other. Thirdly, the union must be seen to be developing the clubs. These are the bedrock or rugby in Kenya and without which, even the union ceases to exist. And on that note they should help clubs get sponsors, not fight for the same sponsors. It is not rare to see union officials schmoozing with clubs' sponsors during club events, trying to offer them more value for the same peanuts!

And I think that would be a fair start. Do have a good week. My ramble is late and almost overtaken by events. Tomorrow will see the first Kenya Cup Match ever to be held under floodlights when Impala host Mwamba at Impala Club. I have my reservations on that, but let it be!