Finally the most positive news I have had in a long time. The bar has been set and should not be lowered, whatever the reason. KRU is finally in the big money leagues and will no longer fight for penny change from the same sponsors clubs are chasing. The money from Kenya Airways will go a long way, though I still have my doubts
expressed here. Though as an afterthought maybe the figures now being discussed will cause clubs to up their ante in sourcing for sponsorship as well and be in a position to get more and more funds. This would in turn also enable them to better take care of their players and facilities and improve their standards of play. This may then make them an effective feeder for the National teams. I just have too many "mays" in my paragraph, keeping me skeptical as ever. But that is not what I came out to say today.
This week sees the Safari
com Sevens take place in a different, bigger, more spacious venue. For the teams coming it would be a relief to be a bit further from the usually vocal Nairobi crowd, but then again, where will that homely feeling be? The list of attendees for once is very enticing and this should be the most competitive sevens in a long time. The benefit of a date change (wondering how the Vipers and Emerging Boks will be split), or the fact that this will be the most expensive event ever (in terms of money spent) but very good for the fans and the new venue. The challenge will be to fill it but also 75% would not be bad. Enough to make it a pleasant experience for those with families in tow as well. The proximity to town will make for a hellish Saturday night concert, but that is not my focus.
All in all, this is a lot of pressure on the new technical team, new captain and new players. Their first major test is on home soil and based on this, people will make their judgements on many things, and with money now a factor, the hatchets will surely be sharp. For some this may be way to stressful, but to others, it doesn't get any better than this. With Samurai and the British Army finally gracing our event, what remains is the addition of prize money, and maybe the rest of
the mercenaries will join the party, and we have a truly fabulous event.
All the best to the players from all teams, loads of fun for the funs (sic) and let's remember, Monday is a working day.
5 Comments:
Good news for 7s team. Thanks to God, what about the 15s Counterparts.Survive on training allowance of less than 8,000 per month. Thought that MMM campaigned on reviving the XV but as things look the tradition continues, RIP KXV, zero motivation, zero results... even the public thinks 7s is rugby whereas in reality it is entertainment.
Spending money to make Kenya sevens players professional will not yield better results. What Kenya needs is youth development. The reason we cant beat kina Samoa and Argentina often is not because they are professional. Many of them are amateurs. The reason is that they have better youth development. So their players have better ball skills, better defence, positioning etc. It makes a huge difference.
agreed only england, scotland, south africa and nz players are on full time contracts, aussies only started looking at the same last yr, argentina has made it this far in rugby because they have solid amateur structures and good coaching knowledge
fwhat about all the procurement shenanigans at Safaricom 7s. is this being condoned by Bob Collymore. Labaa is the only winner here
about the procurement shenanigans. word is safcom are not impressed. call me more summoned the law bar and asked him to choose between being a supplier and chairing the oc. question is where is share man in all this?
Post a Comment