This time they have managed to completely part ways with EABL's
flagship brand Tusker. Deborah Mallowah the EABL Marketing Director in
a letter quoting section 6.3 of the now terminated agreement with KRFU
said goodbye and adieu to their 13 year relationship with Kenya Rugby
and more so the Safari Sevens. This was in response to KRFU's earlier
letter in July where the rugby hierachy insisted in no kind words that
Safari Sevens sponsorship must go hand in hand with the Elgon Cup.
The KRFU had demanded Kshs 4 million from EABL. Initially they had
requested Kshs 6 million but then revised their figure downwards. When
the demand was not met the KRFU and cronies went round media houses
telling off EABL with some of the unkindest words one could have ever
imagined. Richard Omwela the Chairman was very much at the forefront
of the anti-EABL campaign and this was very much witnessed at the
Elgon Cup where rival brand Heineken emerged with a paltry sponsorship
of Kshs 125,000. This money is yet to be paid though.
That Tusker/EABL have walked away from rugby when the game's
popularity in Kenya is at an all time high due to the Kenya 7's
success is a strong and worrying pointer. Corporates and indeed many
other stakeholders have in recent times expressed their concern over
the way the KRFU manages its finances. KRFU have despite their so
called best run sports federation status failed to produce accounts
for 3 consecutive years. This has brought out a lot unease in the
corporate circles that has sponsors thinking twice. Virgin Atlantic
are said to be mulling over their sponsorship for the Kenya 7's team.
Orange are also not too happy and their comments have been expressed
in various corporate fora. EABL have already taken off to the hills as
a safety measure. Transparency and accountability are surely lacking
in Kenya Rugby.
One thing for sure is the Safari Sevens in 2010 will not be the same
and the new bride being wooed is Safaricom. To Michael Joseph and Peter Arina the question is 'Are KRFU the Better Option?'
3 Comments:
Man...Things are elephant. Even Chabeda is having second thoughts on rugby and is now moving to soccer promos with his pepeta na arsenal. There is no pepeta na Kenya rugby or pepeta na all blacks or pepeta na shujaa. Leave alone all the drama at KEBS.
This picture of him and some foxy chick both in arsenal shirts says plaenty of the direction he is going. Time to abandon ship.
Mind you he is a Man United fan......
Safari sevens is on its deathbed....Namibia are waking up and stealing our thunder with the help of the springboks
Sevens to go Sixteen
Written by Confidence Musariri
Thursday, 01 October 2009
THE success of the inaugural Trustco Namibia International Sevens Rugby tournament in the capital last weekend has woken the world and the organisers will make the African Voyage a 16-team extravaganza next year.
World beaters New Zealand, crowd pulling England, Wales and Kenya top the listings for next year’s edition according to Quinton Van Rooyen, Trustco Group International Managing Director.
An elated Van Rooyen said the inaugural event had opened the floodgates of attention and interest from the international community.
“New Zealand is a must. They must be with us next year. We are already working on it. Kenya would have loved being with us this year but they got the invite late, so that one is a closed case. Kenya will be here. We are making it bigger,” said N$18million sponsor, Van Rooyen.
South Africa’s Springboks won this year’s tournament which was pregnant with surprises where only African teams, written off in pre-tournament billings, finished in the top three.
Zimbabwe came second after succumbing to the Boks 61-14, in the final, a match which had the highest score for the tournament but also, the only match where South Africa conceded more than 10 points.
The Boks had not conceded a single point in their last three matches enroute to the final.
Namibia came third giving highly favoured Samoan Barbarians a sour send-off.
“These two African teams, (Zimbabwe and Namibia) have just shown me the trick to beating other Sevens giants. Until now, I have been thinking that Argentina and Portugal will give me headaches at the Dubai Sevens later this year, but I will have peaceful nights,” tournament winning coach Paul Treu said.
Treu was never worried with Fiji. His charges always play out of their skins when facing Fiji. Until Saturday both teams had won three times each in their last six confrontations, before Paul Delport tore the Islanders apart in a 28-nil drubbing.
Zimbabwe drew with Argentina 19-19 in the pool stages before dislodging them in the semi-finals 19-14, the same day they silenced European champions Portugal 26-7 in the quarter-finals.
Now, Trustco says next year’s event will have massive prize monies after this year’s tournament was played for the love and pride of the game.
“We have realized how even the tourism industry is going to benefit from this rugby showcase. Imagine all these countries coming here. We won’t be scared to make it a week-long event and it will be the highlight of Sevens Rugby in the country, on the continent and for the sport,” Van Rooyen said.
All now bodes well for Sevens’ possible inclusion into the Olympics, a decision that will be made in less than two weeks.
Well I think safari stevens is not going to survive long. Namibia on a helping hand with Springboks is ruling over. Hope some good luck for Sevens’ possible inclusion into the Olympics.
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