The war must begin

Rugby made the front page of the Daily Nation with a picture of a Kenyan player steaming through a weak attempted tackle from a collapsed, panting and demoralized “all black”
A win against New Zealand at any level of rugby is an incredible achievement by any team and especially so, for the bunch of amateur recreational players playing for Kenya.
It depicts triumph when facing insurmountable odds, courage, desire, passion and the strength of sheer will, what a perfect message to send to all Kenyans within our borders. That we can anything and can be the best if we are hungry enough to make the sacrifices that precede any successful outcome. That rugby that unite them and lift their hopes, and strengthen their resolve to compete and succeed. (Esp after their continued disappointments from their fanatical support of Harambee stars)

This is a sport that has not received any government support. A sport that was begging for official state recognition until about a month ago.

What has this increased attention resulted in?
Our team has been on the headlines in Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, England and the World over in the last 6 months. And what benefit has it brought. I can only think of the symbolic flag presentation by the president, and sponsorship from Safaricom and Orange.

I always hear the Govt being attacked for not doing much for Rugby. And recently, I have heard people talking about how the sudden interest in the sport by the Government would now lead to development of the game. I beg to differ. The Govt has shown that it does not have the interest of Kenyans at heart but rather its own selfish political intrests with long and short term goals of self aggrandizement.
How can you explain the immense support shown and actually translated in terms of monies put in soccer? That Kenyan team has never defeated any of the top African teams, and definitely none of the top world teams is a fact. And that, such a victory is nowhere in sight in the near or distant future is also true. We do not have more than one or two sufficiently talented players and hence cannot beat the likes of Nigeria or Cameroun. The home loss against Tunisia is testament to this.
That the money invested in soccer is not put in Athletics our most successful sporting discipline is not baffling. Politicians are in charge of the allocations and will only support the most popular sporting discipline i.e soccer. To prevent backlashes from the public for lack of support, to try and get into the gravy train and influence appointment of cronies to the union to “eat” or to identify with the millions of supporter as sympathetic to their passion with a hope of translating this into votes. All Kenyan’s identifies with soccer, be they toddlers in nursery school or geriatrics, female or male, black or white. Soccer is played in all primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities. It is played in all corners of the country by the rich and poor. We have however never ranked anywhere near the worlds best but given the grass root support for the game it will remain the most supported and funded sport for the obvious political and commercial reasons.

So where do we go as rugby. The first step involves an analysis of the critical success factors that will determine our ability to grow, retain our status quo or die. The most important being grassroots’ support as opposed to government support. Ask cricket Kenya and they will tell you why cricket is dying if not dead. Without the support of the common mwananchi, any strategies towards growing the sport will be short term and defeatist.
We have to wrestle these fans from soccer. We have to recognize that we are in competition with soccer for fans. We have to start planting the seeds at the nursery and primary school level in all corners of the country. Development officers need substantial budgets and clear performance targets. We need to enlist the services of a sports marketer or PR/advertising firm with a brief of raising the profile of the game. The recent move by KRFU to take rugby to Eastland’s an area outside the traditional Ngong road area is long overdue and a step in right direction. I long and dream of the day, when a major KRFU tournament will be played in Eastland’s. We have to shed our elitist tag and open up to all and sundry for the good of the game. Because rugby is not only a sport but a way of life and once hooked addiction is guaranteed. That’s the beauty of the game, Rugby. We can offer not only hope on qualification for the 15's world cup in the not too distant future but also pomise to battle with the aim it when we get there. Rugby can do it, i cant say the same about soccer.


Back to the Hong Kong sevens, we are slowly building on the consistency required for an appearance in the finals of a tournament. I.e at least five straight wins. We can win matches against all top tier teams, but we still cannot win two consecutive matches against two big teams in any tournament. Why, because of our technical frailties. Rarely will you be lucky enough to win two such matches when you continously repeat mistakes on basics. Such as, tackle completion, retention of kickoffs and lineout’s. Or the lack of any set plays when running the ball that create mismatches. Our lineout’s were awful and cost us games. This is the simplest area of rugby to master especially in sevens. All that’s needed is, proper lifting of the jumper, accurate throw in by the “hooker” and variations of the lineout plays. Anyone can execute clean lineout’s if they take the time to practice until they get them right. Our lack of practice was openly apparent in the pitch.
Retention of kickoffs has not improved with time, are our coaches blind to this. Positioning at the kickoff is pathetic, clean catches rare, and lifting when receiving unknown. Flair without basics cannot sustain the consecutive wins required to win a tournament. Basics are only sharpened by repetitive, hard, continuous training. Proper application of basics without flair can win you a tournament. Ask Wales.

Hong Kong Rugby 7's

Well, we came, we saw, we conquered.  I was wondering why the techinical set a lower target of 14 points for two legs when there are more points on offer in Hong Kong.  It is a bit difficult doing this post as it is becoming frustratingly the same.  That we are on a high is not in doubt, but we also seem to be in a rut!  We need to find a way out as the heartache is becoming too much.

All the same congratulations to the boys for a fantastic display once more and good wins along the way.  Next stop Adelaide this weekend.

Weekend Games

Firstly an apology.  I was indisposed over the weekend and was not able to post the results of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series immediately.  However, better late than never.

Sharks 38 Scorpions 12.  A much improved (changed?) Scorpions side tried to put up a fight this weekend.  However, Sharks barely had to get into fourth gear to win this one.  I think they were more suprised than challenged.  Amazing what a little structure and organisation can put in a team.

Cheetahs 45 Victoria 0.  A very well prepared Cheetahs team were also surprised at the lack of ideas or planning by Victoria.  Not to take anything away from them, they were very structured themselves, ready to spread the ball wide and when within striking distance, keeping it tight/close.  With the rain that started belting down during this match, it was a good tactic and the Ugandans never adopted at all.

Lions 5 Rhinos 17.  I got this completely wrong.  The Lions had a disjointed first half, taking wrong options (maybe they were overconfident?) and missing easily kickable penalties.  They came back a different team in the second half, toying with the Rhinos at will for twenty minutes.  Their down turn.. I'd say fitness, they lost several players to injury/fatigue.  And lack of a strong bench.  Whilst Rhinos got stronger with every substitution, they failed to respond in kind and the last twenty minutes belonged to the Rhinos.

Rwenzori 19 Buffaloes 17.  Much closer than I thought.  The luck of the draw will see them play three matches at home.  They may have one foot in the semi finals, but next weekend will still be decisive.  This seems to be the group of death and points difference/tries scored (I don't know how the pool standings will be determined) will matter.  I see three teams with two wins each in this pool.

General comments.  Some teams have improved in the one week, better organised, and better structured.  Key in such a competiton is keeping that upward momentum going.  Some will manage, for others it will be too much and they will regress.  The goal kicking however is woeful and the kickers need to do something about it.  With the knock-out stages coming and with the closeness of games, a successful kick may be the key to the prize money.

Hong Kong 7's Update - Kenya 19 USA 12

We didn't really struggle, and did just enough to get through.

Hong Kong 7's Update- Kenya 31 Scotland 7

A disciplined and controlled performance has given us this comprehensive win. Next the USA.

Bamburi Rugby SS - Week 2

The pace picks up with the second round of matches.  You can see the detailed pool standings here.  Scorpions open against Sharks at 12.00 p.m. at the RFUEA grounds.  Cheetahs follow at 2.00 p.m. against Victoria of Uganda.  The last match kicking off at 4.00 p.m. will see the defending champions Lions take on last years runners up, the Rhinos.  In Kampala Rwenzori will host Buffaloes.

I was 100% on my calls last week for the ones I dared to make.  This week I'll try my hand again.  Scorpions haven't a chance in hell, I see another bonus point game here.  The Cheetahs will eventually see off Victoria, despite their superior fitness.  Margin should be 6+ points.  Lions vs. Rhinos is difficult to call.  Based on last weekend's games where Rhinos were barely tested and Lions had to play to the death, I'll give it to the Lions by 10 points (news reaching me suggests Rhinos are more disadvantaged than I think).  And in the last game, I think Rwenzori will carry the day.  I don't think Buffaloes would have got out of their lack of creativity in the phase play.  Margin though will be within a score.

Let's have a fabulous rugby weekend.  Please take time  to vote in our poll on the left.

Hong Kong 7's Update - Kenya 17 West Indies 10

A slow start in wet conditions saw us trail 0-5 at half time, courtesy of a try straight from the kick off.  We were also extremely error prone, fumbling the ball on every contact.  A more disciplined approach in the second half saw us score three tries before the Windies scored their last try.  Try scorers were Collins Injera, Humphrey Khayange and Lavin Asego.  

Next games against USA and Scotland tomorrow.  Updates here as usual.

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 2009

With local rugby action having begun, the rugby activity has picked up some.  But our heroes are never to be forgotten.  They have landed in Hong Kong and are ready to continue with their fine form in this tournament.  All the World Cup Squad is in Hong Kong save for Biko Adema who has pressing commitments back home.  He has been replaced by Joshua Gathumbi, himself no stranger to the IRB Sevens Circuit, having made his debut almost a year ago.  For pre-tournament comments you can check the official IRB Sevens Website.  This also has the official draw.  We are 5 hours behind Hong Kong.

Despite having qualified as the best 2nd placed team in the 7's World Cup, this time only a top finish in the pool stages will assure us of a quarter final qualification.  The way the event is run means there are several teams not quite up to the standard of the teams in the World Cup hence there will be quite a few huge scores in most of the pools.  And our Pool F consisting of ourselves, Scotland, USA and the West Indies? is considered quite a tough pool so tough luck to the 2nd placed team in this pool.

As usual post match comments where possible on this blog as well as summarising comments from our blog contributors after the event.  Feel free to air your view in the comments section of any of the posts.

My last post seemed to have raised quite a ruckus and true to form, the perceived injured have not responded after coming after my neck vehemently initially.  As stated before in this blog, where there's smoke...  As for the thoughts of a parallel union, I don't think it's too far fetched.  See this, it's already happening in other sports so administrators beware.  An interesting read here and this may give our administrators a clue as to what they have to deal with to keep rugby where it is, and not go the cricket way, as so many commentators have said as well.

Otherwise let's all have a great rugby weekend.

Sharks off to a flying start, Kenya 7's in Far East Fiesta

I have been down with some serious flu since Saturday after watching the Sharks down the Lions in the Super Series. Do bear with me as I gather the energy to recover. My mama has been all good to me as she has nursed me through this ailment. Sometimes I wonder what thought goes through her mind. Then again that's a story for another day I guess. The focus remains rugby....at least mine.

Last Saturday was indeed quite hectic. We only managed to get to the grounds when the Cheetahs versus Buffalos game was in its dying moments. I had to do my my duty and accompany my campus half to some expo at Sarit. Luckily I caught a bit of Super 14 while she waltzed through the expo. (The things we are made to do). The Cheetahs looked particularly shattered after the final whistle. The narrow scoreline 14-11 indicated they had lost a close tight battle to the Buffalos.

Sitting with the universities crowd the Sharks came out and received a big cheer and plenty roar from their fans. Quite a mixed crowd with noticeably fellow students from Strathmore, USIU and of course UON the majority.

Pity Kopo was not playing as I had really psyched to watch him torment the Lions. In his absence the rest did not wilt as the Sharks held their ground and in the end put away the Lions who were the defending champions 11-6 in what was truly an exciting Super Series rugby game.

That mercurial afro haired wizard at scrum half Felix Wanjala was a joy to watch as he tormented the more experienced Peter Mutai at will. The team was solid on defence and gave us the win we so craved with anxiety. The names of the Strath guys I do not know but they tackle hard and pretty well.

Next weekends game should see the team in even better shape. Seeing the Ugandans in town will be exciting as well. Whatever or whoever the Scorpions are, bring them on. They will get what they deserve.

The Lions sorry to say looked tired and tired. Their coach with a funny sounding eastern European name Jawichrez looked bewildered on the bench. I wonder where he has suddenly sprung up from. Lets just not have anybody coaching super series rugby teams. Wangila's coaching is missing there.

It was quite a suprise to see the Kenya 7's rugby team bid farewell to the rugby crowd. That was quite thoughtful. Good to see our rugby celebs mingle with the ordinary crowd once in a while. They have a task ahead that takes them to Hong Kong and then Adelaide. Ayimba must be itching to get his hands on some real silverware now. An IRB tournament win must not be too far coming.

In Hong Kong, Kenya 7's are pooled with USA, Scotland and West Indies. USA and Scotland are tricky opponents while West Indies, potential customers, are the underdog providing the unknown in them.

Somehow depending on my health, I or rather 'We' will try and watch all the available rugby on offer. Highly ambitious but what to do.

Here is the squad:

Deserving (Tested): Khayange, Injera, Lavin, Onyango, Weru, Oduor, K'Opondo, Ashioya

Debatable (but worth the money) : Gathumbi, Owiti, Nyambu

Question Marks: Namcos

Namcos isn't very fit at the moment. His last outing was an unheralded disaster. I guess the coaches know better but it would have been worth giving Vincent Mose a chance.

Good luck to the Ayimba crew and its time for an okombe now.

Saw this as I was about to end my post and thought it may be worth the read seeing that the blog is alive to very many topical debates.

http://hotsecretz.blogspot.com/2009/03/rugby-judge-spills-beans.html

The guest speaker at British council’s Leadership forum on Wednesday night hosted at The Stanley was the gently amusing Richard Omwela, the Managing Partner, Hamilton, Harrison & Matthews and long serving Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) chairman.

He gave a talk about leadership, and of course during the talk, Omwela who is known as ‘Judge’ in the rugby circles spilt the beans on why he publicly turned down government appointment to be one, back in 2001. The audience was left in laughter as he described the whole incident in a comical manner and later termed the appointment as a chance to “balance the tribal equation.”
“I got a call. I rushed to the high court and I found them waiting for me. They pointed at a corner and said, ‘There is a gown there for you, you are going to be sworn in tomorrow at the high court.’ And I asked them ‘Who said?’ and they said ‘We the government have decided that you are becoming a judge,’ so I asked how much do judges earn? And they said, ‘Come in tomorrow you will find out after the swearing in.’ The more questions I asked, the more irritated and unobtrusive they became. I was given an hour to decide, after which they would send the names for the Gazette notice.”

Omwela turned down the offer citing an extremely short notice, lack of prior consultation, and lack of information or even a sense of clarity as to the terms and conditions of work.

Weekly Ramble

I'm torn in between today.  A scathing attack or a cry for help.  The week has been good, let me not spoil it.  I was just wondering what the aim of any Union is in Rugby?  To whom are they beholden?  I am not one to cast aspersions on characters, however I often get extremely perturbed at goings on.  Today I am prompted by a comment left on a post by RB late last week.  It appears to me that the most content people in Kenyan Rugby are the board, administrators and those who run various events on behalf of the union.  What do the players, for whom the union exists, really feel?

Mine is a simple point I will pick up from the comment.  From the start of the Safari Sevens, the sponsorship was a mere Ksh. 5M, methinks, since these accounts are kept far away from public scrutiny.  Go to last year and the sponsorship was Ksh. 28M and we're only talking about the title sponsor.  That does not include associate sponsors, corporate hospitality and gate takings.  And go to the Rugby Super Series, in 2003, the sponsorship was a mere Ksh. 2.5M.  Today's Nation puts the figure at Ksh. 11M for this year and this also only from the title sponsor.  Each of these events has seen sponsorship rise by over 400% at the least.  And to what end?

It may be true that the purpose of any event is to create awareness and a spectacle that would attract a huge audience and hence more potential sponsors.  To me however, this seems the end result.  It has become a vicious cycle of raise more money, spend more money.  It is understandable that the bigger an event grows, the more it consumes.  However, I think we've lost sight of the goal, which to me is to improve rugby and by extension the welfare of the players.  

If we take both events, how has the welfare of the players changed?  Have their allowances grown four fold as well?  Has the prize money (where it exists.. Safari Sevens has no prize money) grown four fold?  Is there an appearance fee?  Given, the stature of an event grows based on the teams that attend.  But why pay appearance fees to foreign teams and our team (now the best in the world in 7's) gets nothing?  Do we take our players for granted and as someone said here, use them as cash cows?  If that is the case then, who's cash cow?  When our players meet those from other sporting disciplines they think our players are very rich and well off.  Is that the case?

Let me take a walk down history, since this is what it is about.  In 2003, when the Super Series started, the aim was to take the top 100 players and put them in a competitive environment and ease the selection process.  In effect it created a "provincial" competition above the local league(s).  It was to be different in all aspects.  The teams were to be professionally run, with "vetted" management teams, of a certain standard.  It was also to be worth the players time and something to aspire towards.  Players left out of the Super Series were supposed to feel jealous of their counterparts who made it.  Seven years down the line, I wonder if that has been achieved.  The teams are diluted to the point that even the selection is not competitive in some franchises.  The allowances.. without mentioning figures as I don't know, well, are less than what some clubs pay their players.  Is the Super Series then at a level above the clubs?  And with the penchant of the Kenya 15's management constantly SELECTING players, what then would motivate a player to play in the Super Series?  Methinks most play just for the love of the game and for their own sense of achievement.  And that is all from within.  Where is the external motivation?

As a parting shot, maybe the union needs to critically examine why some sponsors are willing to support them year in year out, and others seem to run like the wind after one experience with them.

Please take time to vote in our poll on the left.

BRSS - Week 1

For all my misgivings, it was quite a weekend.  I expected teams to be out of sorts, out of sync, out of breath and basically out of it, being the first encounters of the year.  Maybe they were all at the same level, making it easier for them to cope with each other.

Rhinos vs. Scorpions:  Not much to say about this.  One way traffic all the way.  After the Lions and the Buffaloes have taken the best out of Mombasa and Western, not much was going to be left there.  Also, a one day familiarisation, training, travelling, playing mision was never going to help them.  Still, they came and they played.  Rhinos struggled to find fluency though, but it was good to see some old names back on the pitch.

Cheetahs vs. Buffaloes:  Quite a battle both upfront and in the backs.  The game could have gone either way.  I think the Cheetahs were more structured and able to play the phases better.  The Buffaloes broke down after two phases and could not seem to be able to picture play beyond that.  The Cheetahs got a chance to level the game after time was up but opted to tap and run a kickable penalty.

Sharks vs. Lions:  Definitely the thriller of the day.  The score kept changing hands.  The Sharks were fluid in their execution of backline moves and simply moving the ball into space.  Whereas the Lions were ruthless in their forward play, calculating and slowly denying the Sharks the much needed ball.  The key point in this game was the number of turnovers the Lions gave away when within easy striking distance, the ball always came out on the wrong side!

Rwenzori vs. Victoria:  Comments here and here. The closeness of the score can perhaps attest to the balance in the sides, I'm not sure.  However, next weekend they meet Kenyan sides.

Please take time to vote in our poll on the left.

Rugby Super Series Results

Rhinos 62 Scorpions 0 Buffaloes 14 Cheetahs 11 Sharks 11 Lions 6 Rwenzori 13 Victoria 0.

A Parallel Union?

I picked this up from this post by B2B.  It is good that the Rugby Series is here upon us, but the structuring of the teams has got me thinking.  Are we building a parallel union through the Rugby Super Series?

Picture this, the Kenya Cup Competition has eight teams in it.  The teams play each other in a home and away format over an extended period of time.  There is no final hence no "Grand Event' to hype up with media and fanfare, however the winner is the Champion of Kenya Rugby.  The Kenya Cup consists traditionally of clubs that form themselves, with no allegiance or attachment to the Union.  The Kenya Cup has not had a sponsor in over a decade and the money for the teams to participate is raised by the teams themselves.  A few years ago, the Union broached an idea where all Kenya Cup matches were to be played at one venue, to make it easier to sell to sponsors.  This would also increase the crowds and the egg would hatch into the chicken.  Increase spectators and increased sponsorship.  This failed to take off.

Contrast with this.  The Bamburi Rugby committee is an autonomous committee.  They are solely mandated to come up with the structure and format of the event, composition of the teams and appointment of team officials.  They are mandated to utilise all the funds raised for the same event as is prudent, save for if they have a shortfall and need a bail out.  From a noble idea of the best 100 players in the country, making for intense competition for the limited places, and making it easy for the National Coach to select his even few players from this restricted pool.  The numbers have now swelled.  We now have SIX local teams (a mere 2 less than Kenya Cup).  In order to maintain the 5 week format that the sponsor is paying for, the teams must remain 7 or 8.  With the withdrawal of the Tanzanian team, I know the Ugandans are also only using this event to prepare their national team for the RWC Qualifiers.  I don't see them participating next year.  The event will therefore remain an entirely local affair, with as many teams as the Kenya Cup, entirely controlled by the Bamburi Committee and we all singing to their tune.  And the Bamburi Committee is only answerable to one person, the KRFU Chairman.  That such a structure exists, outside the normal union channels, of non-elected persons, with no deliverables is completely scary.  

This to me has all the makings of a parallel union.  With absolute power and control, no accountability and run at the whims of two persons, the KRFU chair and the Bamburi chair!  And with the amount of money flowing into this setup ( I hear this years budget is Ksh. 26M), maybe this is the vehicle needed to drive fifteens rugby in this country.  What is needed is a competent driver.

Bamburi Rugby Super Series

This kicks off tomorrow.  A late withdrawal of the Tanzanian team, the Twigas has seen a hasty cobbling up of a Scorpions Franchise.  The Super Series Site is not offering too much information save saying it is a franchise composed of Western Province and Mombasa RFC??? does that make any sense to anyone?  Though it was a natural progression since Nakuru have always dominated the Buffaloes (Western) Franchise and the amount of raw talent available in Western Kenya was left largely untapped.  I hope this will see more of these Western Kenya players remain in active rugby long after the Super Series.  However, Mombasa have also traditionally only supplied one player to the Lions franchise to which they belong so I wonder if this move will help them expose more players.  The logistics for training is one thing I would like to know.  And do the Lions now remain a pure KCB franchise?

There are four matches on the cards tomorrow.  The two Ugandan Franchises Rwenzori and Victoria play each other at the Kyadondo Rugby Ground.  The other three matches will all be at the RFUEA ground with Rhinos taking on the virgin Scorpions in the first match, Buffaloes take on Cheetahs in the second and defending champions Lions take on Sharks in the last match.  I don't know much about the two Ugandan franchises but they should be fairly evenly matched.  Rhinos should have a walk in the park, whereas Buffaloes and Cheetahs will really have a go at each other.  I'll give it to Buffaloes by 8 points.  The Lions and Sharks will also be very tight.  I know Lions have changed significantly and Sharks are growing in confidence.  I'll give Sharks by one score.

Let's all have a great weekend.  Please take time to vote in our poll on the left.

Weekly Ramble

A comment a visitor to this blog left yesterday turned my mind onto something I've been thinking about for a long time, and kept pushing it back.  He questioned my rugby credentials and by extension my right to post what I post on this blog.  Maybe in his opinion I was saying nonesense, but I felt he should be more engaging, or read my post in it's entirety before deciding my best claim to rugby was in high school!  Maybe he needs to read this post by TRKRFU to understand where I am coming from.  I need never even have stepped onto a rugby pitch in order to comment about rugby.  I mean we have a chairman who never played rugby.. so what's the difference?  Which brings me to my beef today, what makes some people think they have more to offer rugby than others?

A casual look at the committees that are running various events show a certain leaning.  Beginning with the Rugby Super Series Committee, the JWRT LOC and the Safari Sevens, it is clear old boy networks are at work here.  Certain people, despite obvious experience professional or otherwise, are deliberately left out for no good reason.  This post shows what I've been thinking and it hasn't changed.  That the so called jobs are volunteer jobs leaves you wondering why people are so eager to have "one of our own" in certain positions.  That all it does is boost one's CV is hogwash to me.  And why don't we want to boost CV's all round?  And since we are one big family, why are some considered the "black sheep" when it matters most?  Why is there no equitable distribution of positions amongst stake holders, since we are all stake holders?  Or do some people have more stake than others?  And just what is that stake?  What makes one decide who is good for rugby and who is not?  And who has the monopoly on "good ideas", maybe he can sambaza some around.   The amount of secrecy that surrounds various activities of the union and the lack of reception of ideas just astounds me to say the least.  But after all, we are the best run union in Africa.  And we all know why secrets are kept.

Since I've been accused of only playing rugby in school, I will reminisce here a bit about my school rugby days.   We had no coach.  We played the rugby we saw other schools play and the rugby we saw clubs play.  We played out of sheer psyche and we watched a lot of video.  Given, there was not DSTV then, and the plethora of games that are now there, so getting a rugby video was very difficult.  However, we managed.  The teacher in charge, or the official coach of the team, was needed mainly to secure the transport/bus for matches.  And that was a long time ago.  I'm sure if there are any school boys reading this, nothing much has really changed!  And we claim to be progressive.

Kenya Rugby 7's : Safaricom muddle cash awards

As accolades continue to pour in congratulating the world class and giant killing Kenya 7's team, Safaricom did make their pledge to reward the team with cash awards for reaching the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup 7's 2009. This was a kind gesture indeed by the giant money minting mobile telephony/cash transfer company.

However Safaricom at the same time showed their naivety about team sports especially rugby in this case. They only rewarded the 12 players and forgot to reward the technical bench. As an afterthought Coach Benjamin Ayimba was also given Kshs 250,000.

However excluded in this reward scheme were the Team Manager, Assistant Coach, Physiotherapist, Nutritionist and Sprints Coach. For once KRFU were 99% blameless though with hindsight and with a KRFU director being a Safaricom employee this anomally should never have happened. Murmurs were thereby aplenty.

The boys showing bighearts decided to pool the money and divide it among the 17 personnel who were at the World Cup. This was a magnanimous gesture by the players who definitely showed Safaricom the ethos about teamsports. These players ave definitely led by example.

Safaricom have led the way in appreciating and rewarding the efforts of the team. Can the rest let the public at large know what rewards or motivation schemes they have for the players. This question is directed mainly to the KRFU, Virgin Airlines, the government (GOK) and other latecomers.

Otherwise spend the monetary rewards wisely and know that the Kenya Rugby 7's have represented the country well.

The Machine is ready to take on Kenya Rugby

Its no hidden secret that Engineering is the fulcrum of Mean Machine (and has always been according to the IOD's) but I will not say it too loudly lest it annoys the rest of the rugby comrades in campus.

Congratulations to my erstwhile colleague Wilson K'Opondo better known as 'Kopo' for having been named captain of the University of Nairobi's Mean Machine RFC. Well in my guy. One for you at Mwenda's when you pop in after the late afternoon practicals. Hats of to Gachoka the previous captain.

Other 2009 officials are Chairman Brian 'Bryo' Simiyu, Secretary Davis 'DM' Makori, Vice-Captain Meshack Wesonga, Treasurer Moses Kenyanya and PRO Duncan Otieno. "Eschuma Absolute".

Lets bring the Kenya Cup to campo where it belongs plus other trophies that belong with us which we have lent other clubs.

The Super Series starts this Saturday. My mama and I will definitely be rooting for the Sharks. Last year we were not too sure whether the franchise could perform but with Machine the backbone it passed with flying colours.

I ask how does one get to be involved in the running of the Super Series? How are the officials chosen? Is it an exclusive club? Or scary to think, is it a parallel KRFUEA? Further thoughts, is it somebody's personal cash cow?

Go Machine go. Go Sharks Go.

Weekly Ramble

Albeit late, but here all the same.  A friend of mine says he's had a one week or*#$m, but that's him.  Mine was a different kind of high.  The realisation that we are now in the big leagues and nothing should hold us back.  I will always refer to this post because I think it sums us up completely.  TRKRFU in his post also mentions this in the previous post.  We must now measure ourselves by the highest standards.

My pet topic, 7's vs. 15's.  Today I swipe at the 15's.  The confusion in the season not withstanding, the past 7 years have seen the Super Series start almost immediately after the floodlit tournament, not giving teams enough time to train together.  In effect we have seen the games improve week after week after the players get to know each other, save for the Buffaloes who seem to decline as other teams get to know them.  I have spoken at length about modern rugby and about how it is about systems and patterns and not who is on the pitch.  The players and management themselves need to realise this.  However, with no serious rugby going on except the Under 20 tournaments (that I have issues with also), the rest of the rugby players took it as an extended holiday.  Training was when they feel like and at their own intensity.  Suffice to say that if the rest of the club players had given their Under 20's serious opposition in training, we would have seen more tries being scored in the tournaments and maybe Strathmore would not have been the runaway winners that they were.  

But I ramble as usual.  Perhaps it is not within their power as the franchises cannot come into existence until they get the go ahead from the Super Series committee due to issues of medical cover and other things I don't want to talk about, but the franchise players belong to clubs.  And the clubs can come together and work out something to cover this and others.  And the clubs can begin to organise themselves without waiting for the union.  And the clubs can also take a lead in defining the destiny of fifteen-a-side rugby in Kenya.  Or are we content to sit back and point fingers without lifting our own to try and change things?

Despite having all the time to prepare, we have suddenly realised the Rugby Super Series starts next week.  We are now hurriedly conducting trials (to select?) and putting together rag tag teams to participate.  Once more Buffaloes will be the most organised from the start (they are mainly one club) and Lions as well, though Lions will have largely been hit by attrition and we expect to see a very changed team.  The other teams will improve as the weeks go by and if going by last years example of the Rhinos, be unable to maintain the uphill momentum to the end, but that is to be expected.

Despite all the above, I look forward to five weekends of exciting rugby.  I'm glad the Ugandans have joined the party with Rwenzori and Victoria teams (I thought the teams were all to be named after animals?).  And I'm glad that more games will be played in upcountry (Western Kenya) venues.  As usual we will attempt to post results here as soon after the matches as possible, as well as give a review of matches after the weekend.  And maybe, just maybe you will ge to meet me finally (blogging from Russia).

PS:  Rugby Super Series Website is up and running (7 yrs later??) at www.rugbysuperseries.com.  

Congratulations are in order but Transparency required from KRFU

This will be a good year for the KRFU Board or office.

1. The Chairman made it back to office for another two year term.
2. The government finally recognised the rugby game and a State House invite was conjured where a flag was presented.
3. Safaricom and Telkom Orange came aboard as sponsors for the Sevens team
4. The Junior World Rugby Trophy will be held in Kenya.
5. The Safari Sevens promises to be bigger than ever this year with Obama and Rugby 7's World Cup being the two biggest contributors.
6. All in all it seems 2009 is the year the heavens have shined on the KRFU.

However we will not shy away from commenting on areas that we feel the KRFU have neglected or not properly managed the game. A continous performance review will be part and parcel of the process.

An area that the KRFU seems to have totally failed is in the fiscal management of its own resources. Yet again as we saw unbelievably as we sat at the AGM the 2009 financial accounts were not presented. Usually they are not passed or are rejected.

This time they were not presented at all. The excuse being a change of auditor. This auditor is the same one who has year by year chosen to conspire and present not so true and/or not so accurate accounts.

May the game managers please take time to read the following on why Transparency is most important in today's business context.

Transparency helps to prevent the corruption that inevitably occurs when a select few have access to important information, allowing them to use it for personal gain.

Transparency Is AssuranceThe word "transparent" can be used to describe high-quality financial statements. The term has quickly become a part of business vocabulary. Dictionaries offer many definitions for the word, but those synonyms relevant to financial reporting are "easily understood", "very clear", "frank", and "candid".

The reason is simple: less information means less certainty for the rugby union affiliates. When financial statements are not transparent, the affiliates can never be sure about the KRFU's real fundamentals and true risk.

That the KRFU lacks financial transparency is not in doubt. Why then would they want to separate the Safari Sevens accounts from the normal KRFU accounts?

The affiliates deserve to know the what KRFU's intentions are with the profit realised from last years Safari Sevens.

Rugby World Cup Sevens

Congratulations aplenty to the Kenya sevens squad.

A lot has been written on what the performance means in term of automatic qualification to the next world cup and on the achievement of core irb sevens series team status and what it means to Kenya and Africa at large, a lot has also been said of the ripples sent to the ‘established ‘rugby world by the gutsy performance of a bunch of recreational part-time players pitted against fully fledged professional players.

This outcomes however were not to me the most important outcome from the sevens world cup..

What I have seen to be the greatest achievement from our performance was “the three days that rugby captured the attention, minds, hopes and hearts of a Nation”.

Rugby has never been so prominent in the limelight as it was during the tournament. Most of the publicity about rugby in the past has always been negative touching mostly on misconceptions about the spurious correlation of rugby, drinking and loose morals.

For once the public got a first hand feel of the game and many were those that saw the game for the first time, learnt something about it and thoroughly enjoyed it. The seed has been planted. All KRFU has to do is to water and fertilize this emerging interest

One can only imagine the lost advertising opportunities that evaporated as a result of media houses not anticipating the heightened interest and not streaming the games live on their terrestrial free television networks. This was an advertising goldmine spurned.

For rugby to grow, we have to get the crowds back to the stadiums, to create a case for involvement of advertisers and marketers, and generate the funding and resources that the sport so desperately needs to properly remunerate players and devolve interest to the grassroots and cascade exponentially into a self supporting growth spurt/cycle for the game.

The interest/awareness created by Tall and his gang should provide the necessary impetus towards the showcasing of our beloved sport Rugby as a worthwhile pursuit amongst the youth. This can only lead to development of the game in Kenya.

My only regret however, was that the impact on the nation could have been so much more had our technical bench not failed us yet again by using the wrong tactics against Argentina.

The technical bench cost us yet another prized trophy. How many more disappointments should we endure? This team was/is meant to be world champs and circuit winners. The only thing holding us back is the technical bench. Semi finals is not good enough for the worlds best sevens players!

Desert Storm 2 : Mission Accomplished ?

Shebeen Shebeen Shebeen! That was the place to hang out and watch the rugby action in Dubz. The Rugby World Cup was the bomb and awesome. The Kenya 7's or like they like to call themselves 'The Virgin Boys' made me and many other Kenyans very proud. To quote that government (50%) mouthpiece 'NAJIVUNIA KUWA MKENYA' meaning 'I PRIDE MYSELF WITH BEING A KENYAN'.

My rugby weekend started on Thursday afternoon after the morning lectures. That day just wasn't right for engineering so it was with a huge sigh of relief when lectures ended and I bolted straight to my room and dropped my books. The mood in campo also wasn't proper and with the happenings in town it was best to be away.

My mama made my weekend perfect for a rugby addict as she had to go to Nyeri for a kurachia so that left me free to watch the World Cup 7's without hindrance though I do enjoy watching with her as she at least does have a passion and a correct understanding of the game. Don't understand though why she likes England and South Africa.

Mwendas was perfect to watch that one game so I sauntered to town only to meet a gang heading to Shebeen so I got hijacked with good reason. And that is where I spent my weekend and and indeed made new friends (some my mama would not approve of) there as the crowd was electric supporting rugby and t-shirts being sold by rugby entrepreneurs. (Hope some of the money does reach the team.)

Game 1: Kenya vs. Tunisia.
We did our normal concede a try as usual at the beginning before waking up to put the North Africans in their place. Khayange rallied the troops and after that they were in devastating form. Injera is a darling to watch and Oduor and Onyango did the job upfront. Namcos was totally off losing his footing and dropping a couple of easy balls that could have seen us punished by more experienced opponents. 29-7 the final score. A good start.

Game 2: Kenya vs. Hong Kong.
Another try conceded to Hong Kong but we recovered in devastating form and put away Hong Kong. The two brothers led from the front again but this game saw Lavin come to the party together with Ashioya. 43-7 final score. Why they never showed this game on TV only heaven knows.

Game 3: Kenya vs. England.
Undoutebly the game of the day. England tore us apart. Varndell run through our boys. Gollings was the mastermind, Damu Damu and Varndell the executioners. Khayange scored a Captain's try but was that enough to see us through to the main quarters? Namcos had a lousy game and was clearly not in tune with the rest of the team. Final score 26-7. With baited breath our eyes were glued to the screen waiting to see whether we had qualified. And when the draw came up relief and joy rent the air as we had indeed qualified for the main cup quarters. Ayimba and his boys were re-writing the history books. The opponents none other than Fiji the reigning World Champions (at least then).

Game 4: Kenya vs. Fiji.
Bring on Fiji. Everything in Nairobi seemed to have stopped as the nation watched to see whether the Kenya 7's would beat Fiji on a grand stage none other than the World Cup. This was the only team yet to fall prey to Kenya and would this be the moment we were waiting for. New Zealand, South Africa and England were already in the showers. Would Fiji be next.

A walk in the park as a highly charged and focussed Kenya thumped and dumped Fiji out of the World Cup ending their four year reign. Lavin, Adema, Khayange and of course Injera were the try scorers. The inclusion of Adema for the out of sorts Namcos was a masterstroke by the bench. But the man who took the Fijians head on in brute brisque was non other than Oduor. He was the man of the match.

Shebeen went wild as we all hugged each other with my new friends as the sight of a tired shell shocked Fiji fell to a marauding Kenya. The country was going crazy as this moment we all had waited for had arrived. A quick text to my mama and the celebrations continued. 26-7 the final score. Kenya had made history again and had qualified for the semi-finals.

Game 5: Kenya vs Argentina.
By the time we played Argentina, they were ready for us having (assumedly) watch our videos over and over. Physical they were and tight in defence they double teamed and triple teamed the Kenyan boys everytime they got the ball and scored from two of our mistakes under pressure. The ref did not help either but the boys bowed out of the Rugby World 7's Cup 2009 with their heads high. 12-0 the final score. The world had finally seen our rise to the top of the rugby 7's game. Well done Kenya.

The partying after that was serious and lasted till morning. 17 missed calls from my mama did not obliterate the momentous achievent and record set by Kenya in reaching the semi-finals of a world cup. Other than the 2003 Kenya cricket team, I don't recall another Kenyan team sport having done so well.

The team itself had some outstanding performers. From an earlier post which I want to refer to it is time now to give a review of the players performances.

Deserving (Tested): Khayange, Injera, Lavin, Onyango, Weru, Oduor, K'Opondo, Ashioya

The above did well. Khayange, Injera, Oduor and Lavin were completely outstanding. The rest played well enough to justify why they are in this category though K'Opondo and Ashioya could have have done with more game time especially when the semi required a different tactical approach.

Debatable (but worth the money) : Namcos, Owiti,

Owiti reliable as ever and needs more game time but gave a good account of the little we saw of him. Namcos had a tour that he would like to forget in a hurry. A very below par performance from him raising question marks over his selection. All the 3 non travelling reserves may have been a better bet than him.

Question Marks: Adema, Nyambu

Adema came on and switched into high gear and played his historic role in demolishing Fiji. Did well in that game as he scored as well. A talented player but numerous questions still linger on his defence. He however can improve if worked on individually.

Nyambu played much better than in previous tournaments. Was not reckless this time and remained disciplined in defence. Still too short for the line outs and needs a better colour for his red pair of boots.

Hats off to the technical crew Ayimba, Ochieng, Osir and Odhiambo. These were the core of the technical input. The nutritionist and the other guy deserve a pat although to a lesser degree than the above four gentlemen. Are the four fellows all from one village?

Desert Storm 2 is Mission Accomplished for now even though it seems Ayimba is ready to throw in the towel as he says he will be moving on at the end of the season. Being a volunteer he says with no contract from KRFUEA is hard work and its time to look at his options of UNGA!

Safaricom cash belongs to the team only not officials. Hope gava will give them some mzuri cash this time round.

Lastly keep Omwela away from the media and let the credit be rightfully given to the 12 players and the technical crew. Outrageous statements by him at this point may dilute the happiness we have at the moment.

My mama is back so its campo life once again and the occasional Super 14. When are Impala floodies?

7's World Cup Wrap Up

A good wrap up of the tournament is on the official RWC7's site.  At least 51% of those who took the poll also felt a quarter final placing would be good enough for us.  That was based on the recent trend in our performances wrapped up here and here after San Diego.  Well our performance did not really change, we just won the one game that mattered.  We were never going to put up two similar performances, leave alone three to win the cup, but we won the one that mattered.  A smattering of comments from our victims here.  We had spoken about a shrink needed, but by my observation, we also need a video anlalyst.  This ancient post is still valid.  That we went into the Argentina game with exactly the same game plan, if we had one, as for the Fiji game was a major weakness and when that didn't work, we got ruffled and desperate.  I will leave that as part of the learning curve and hope that we can add these two aspects to the technical team, mental skills training and the use of video/match analysis.

Hong Kong Sevens are the next and our expectations are now really high.  Though I worry about the fatigue aspect and our player availability for the remaining legs.  Now is the time to build on our depth.  I don't think the points for the circuit matter much after our performances at the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

7's World Cup Update - Kenya 0 Argentina 12

They were just too much for us, more composed and more experienced. The end of our fairy tale run and I concede, a tournament well played. It's going to be a good night. From The Sevens it's goodbye.

7's World Cup Update - Kenya 26 Fiji 7

A brilliant display and two crucial assists by Victor Oduor gave us this win. Try scorers Lavin Asego, Biko Adema, Humphrey Khayange and Collins Injera.

7's World Cup Update

We're through. We meet Fiji in the last Quarter Final at 13.34 EAT. Do or die time tomorrow. For now I hit the town.

7's World Cup Update - Kenya 7 England 26

We totally failed to fire.  Our defence was just not there and I think the stage got to us.  Despite having met the likes of Gollings, Amor, Tait and other before, Tom Vandell and Isoa Damudamu made us look like amateurs.  Now we wait to see who's best second and if we qualify for the cup proper.

Update on that to follow shortly.

Rugby 7's World Cup - Update from the Streets

It appears as much as the rugby people themselves don't like it, they are gathering more and more of a following.  Just walking from bar to bar yesterday and today, all screens were on the 7's World Cup and people eagerly awaiting to see Kenya play.  They had no clue about the schedule but were very aware that the National Flag is flying high.  And after our recent exploits, expectations are good, let's not say high since people are amazed our scrawny players can hold up against the GIANTS of World Rugby.  Hearing comments like "but where is the goalkeeper?" and "why can't they wait for the ball near the goal and score?" were amusing, but it is part of the enlightenment taking place.  More and more people are taking an interest in and trying to understand the game.

All I can say is the whole country is behind those twelve men and to most, even just the two wins already in the bag, is good enough for them.  But we know better, don't we?

Please take time to update the poll on the left of this post.  Thanks..  Two hours to England and counting.

7's World Cup Update - Kenya 43 Hong Kong 7

A false start once more going down 0-7 before settling down and doing the business.  Hong Kong were never really in it.  Try scorers Lavin Asego with 2 tries, Gibson Weru with 2, Sidney Ashioya, Horace Otieno and Collins Injera with 1 each.  Asego with 4 successful kicks at goal.  Man of the match perhaps the captain Humphrey Khayange, leading from the front as usual.

After England have struggled to beat Tunisia 26-24, well I think I'm going to eat my words very soon, starting from today, but so be it.

7's World Cup Update

In barely an hour we take on Hong Kong in our second match.  Looking at them yesterday there was not much in it and they seem to think they can be physical.  We should not have any problem putting them away and preparing for England later in the day.

After the match yesterday the players were honoured by great inspirational speeches by the Minister for Sports, Helen Sambili and athletics icon Paul Tergat.  The Kenya Ladies volleyball team also lent a hand in cheering the team on.  The Ambassador too was present and they all sat in the kenyan crowd throughout with the mere mortals shunning their VIP status.

 

Other news: Racism rears its ugly head in Dubai

 

Four kenyans briefly held because of being black. As fans were leaving the stadium four kenyans were subject to a racist and physical assault from the bouncers who then brought in security guards. The four unidentified Kenyans were handcuffed for 30 mimutes before intervention from Michal Muthee, Aoka Gecheo and a kenyan fan Paul Owora saw them released.

RUgby 7's Update: Kenya 29 Tunisia 7

A satisfactory performance.  Not outstanding or flash but just enough to get the blood flowing.  Humphrey Khayange led from the front by scoring the first try, his brother Collins Injera the next three and finished off by Sidney Ashioya.  Lavin Asego with two conversions.  Only worry is the lack of decisive tackling.  The Tunisians were actually having a go at us and getting through.

Next games tomorrow.  Please take time to vote on our poll on the left before it closes.

2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens

The draw is as below.

Pools in Dubai

A New Zealand, Tonga, Gulf States; Italy
B Fiji, France, USA, Georgia
C South Africa, Scotland, Canada, Japan
D Samoa, Australia, Portugal, Ireland
E England, Kenya, Tunisia, Hong Kong
F Argentina, Wales, Zimbabwe, Uruguay

Kenya will play Tunisia at 16.10 on 5/03/09, Hong Kong at 12.12 on 6/03/09 and England at 18.06 on the same day in the preliminary matches.  Only the winners of each pool and the best two second placed teams will proceed to the main cup competition.

Past winners
1973 England
1993 England
1997 Fiji
2001 New Zealand
2005 Fiji

My prediction, we will qualify for the Main Cup Quarters as best second and lose out at that stage.

Weekly Ramble

On the eve of the 7's World Cup, I only think it fair to re-visit my favorite topic, 7's vs. 15's.  Kenya Rugby (let me not call it 7's) has qualified for the third straight time to challenge for the Rugby Sevens World Cup.  This is no mean feat and a sustained effort has been maintained to ensure our qualification.  Adequate resources have been availed to the team and "no stone left unturned" to ensure that they are able to perform at their peak.  I will not go into the detail of this but it is mainly thanks to the sponsorship of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airlines.  All of a sudden we have comfortable focused players, able to concentrate on preparing their bodies and minds for the challenge of attempting to be the first completely amateur side to lift the Melrose Cup.  I used the term Kenya Rugby because I presume it is the same people running the game in Kenya.

So how does this bode for the 15's team?  Without being technical today, I will say woefully.  We will have a team of haves and have nots.  We will have a team that spends eight months of the year fully taken care of, joining a rag tag band of complete amateurs.  If you think I'm being silly sample this.  One set of players continually resides in five star hotels, most time flies first class and has been to all the major cities of the world playing against the creme de la creme of the rugby world.  In come the other lot, straight from playing their mediocre club rugby, no exposure whatsoever and just happy to be in the team.  You tell me, what does this do for team spirit?  Innocent jokes like all 7's players have WAP Java enable phones whilst the rest have phones with torches does a lot to a player's mental comfort.  Add to that different management styles, maybe even a resentful management (rich rugby players, in our day it was for the love of the game, not money) and you have a recipe for disaster.  Then make a non 7's player the captain and ooh la la!!  I don't know if Rugby Kenya or Kenya Rugby thinks all this through and what it does to the greater good, but at least it's food for thought.

In conclusion I will hazard a suggestion, which I know will not be well received.  Maybe it is time for a complete separation of the 7's and 15's teams.  Effort must be made or sponsorship sourced to make one team senior to the other, and follow a graduation process.  Once in college, you can't go back to high school!

7's World Cup - Here We Come

Further to sustained griping by the KRFU, players, media and even this blog, the Governement seems to have finally done something.  Finer details are here.  This is the first time the Government has officially done something for the team and even given them a hefty send off.  I think the boys are very comfortable this time round.  Emirates have flown them First Class to Dubai and they are staying at the 7-Star Atlantis Hotel.  All that remains is the final preparations for the games.

We have correspondents standing by in Dubai and will try to update this blog with results and comments as the games go on.