Weekly Ramble

Sorry guys, been away traveling for some time. It is hard to imagine places in this world with scarce internet availability.

Anyway, in my absence, I don't think too much has changed. I sounded the warning bells before the IRB Circuit started but as usual people just thought I was being negative. This post summed up my thoughts and nothing has changed. That we have the most experienced squad in the circuit and are not even able to put up a finals appearance should mean something, at least to the people that matter. I sympathise with coach Benjamin Ayimba as he is the man in the cross hairs. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Does experience count for anything then, in the Seven a side game? Or is it the freshness of players? If experience counts for nothing, then of what use is Ben Gollings, who has played in all rounds of the circuit since inception? And if it does, what does it matter that we have the most in our side? Is it then a lack of fresh players, or a lack of fresh ideas?

Any time the squad needs to take part in an event, it is upon the coach to select the best available players! This is also a requirement from the IRB itself. How then can he justify leaving fully fit, experienced and competent players for the sake of trying out some new, upcoming talent? It is a fact, the players in the team are in fact the best and fittest players by miles in the country! What choice then does he have? I really hate to be in his shoes and for sure, the knives are already out.

Personally I prefer not to use knives. I was taught a long time ago, the only person you fire is a thief. The others you can help/train. But if the incumbent also resists being trained, his choices become less and less.

On the playing side we need to provide more for the players, perhaps motivate them more. And we need to avail more opportunities for them. Galivanting round the world as a mere fan when you have the mandate and opportunities to tie up professional or semi professional contracts for players is a no-no. And don't let someone tell me we don't have good enough players. We currently have several players, quite well known, earning a decent living from playing rugby in other countries, definitely more than they earn here. And as our stature falls more and more, even the few opportunities available here will quickly dry up. Or maybe we also don't want these players to leave. Imagine a Kenya Sevens without Tall, or Collo, or Lavin, or Namcos.. Who would be the first to leave them out of the team, even if for greener pastures? We basically need to ensure that after the Sevens team, a player has a better place to go, or all will have been in vain. Only then can we create space for new talent!

But as usual these will be dismissed as the ramblings of a disgruntled blogger. Well one needs a vision to attain a dream, and where vision lacks a whip or the sack will suffice. And that sadly is what I feel we're lacking.

PS: The late Joshua Gathumbi gets laid to rest today. Let us pray for the eternal repose of his soul. Will surely be missed and was a great talent.