Just thought I would weigh in my thoughts on the ongoing fiasco of the broken league, and the splinter group, and the factions and all matter of stuff. I don't have much to say, but I'm sold onto the idea of affirmative action. I'm totally sold onto the idea that teams need more quality games to improve, and current structures do not allow them to do that. Playing ESS sides is not quality enough and so the teams are not challenged enough. Even the Universities' league would not be challenging enough as the universities no longer have the calibre of the great Machine sides of the 90's that won back to back Kenya titles. In those days the most passionate game was Machine vs. Blak Blad, and wow, what sparks used to fly in those games. But I digress.
Playing in the Kenya Cup will give the teams the much needed exposure to attract sponsors, as competition for opportunities is great with other sports.The players will also get to play against top class competition and attract scouts from those teams to sign them up. The players will also be able to attract the eyes of national selectors and get called up for national duty. Added to this, by staying at home and playing rugby in their home region, job opportunities will also open up and there will be no need to seek greener pastures in other urban areas. This I believe will totally revolutionalise the youth mindset in these regions and change the focus for them. And those advocating for the status quo are actually really afraid of this spread of the game. And the drying up of their feeder pool since most of the best players today come from these regions. With that will also dry up their multi million sponsorships and the game will finally belong to the people, who are the masses.
Whilst most people resist change, it is inevitable, and those who do not know the "prayer of St. Francis of Assissi", they need to brush up on this, as without it, they will surely be brushed off in the wave that is coming.
Playing in the Kenya Cup will give the teams the much needed exposure to attract sponsors, as competition for opportunities is great with other sports.
Whilst most people resist change, it is inevitable, and those who do not know the "prayer of St. Francis of Assissi", they need to brush up on this, as without it, they will surely be brushed off in the wave that is coming.
9 Comments:
@Dataminer,
You've completely missed the plot! Look at the map of Kenya.
1) Where do most rugby players come from? National schools, many of which are in Nyanza/Western. But many are also in other parts of the country. National school championships bear this out.
2) Upon graduating from those high schools, where do the youngsters go? Many go to universities, many don't and go for colleges and polytechnics. Others still fall through the cracks completely. One thing is clear though, almost all those youths (uni, college, or just the hustle) end up in an urban center.
3) Now look at where universities are. Mostly Nairobi, followed by Rift Valley. Some new ones are springing up in Central, a couple of campus extensions at coast, plus a Maseno in Nyanza, a Masinde Muliro in Western.
4) This means that youth out of school will definately follow their career/opportunity wherever it is. And for school leavers, that is how they end up studying in Nairobi or in the Rift Valley, and the good ones among them naturally find clubs in those areas (eg Nakuru FC).
So, you seem to dismiss Universities and ESS as 'not quality' enough. But the teams whom you want to give Kenya Cup exposure are already unable to compete with ESS sides!
For years, the union has maintained a 'Development Officer' whose mandate is to take the necessary steps in order for more teams to be able to compete with (or even supplant) the existing teams. Nothing like that has happened. Not nearly enough balls, equipment, coaches, pitches, etc have been availed to develop clubs in those regions (Nyanza and Western).
The result from this officer's failure is that the only places where rugby can be played at a level other than casual, is most often in schools and colleges and universities. Again, the majority of which are not in Western or Nyanza.
on a merit argument, the sides like Kakamega and Kisumu have not been able to beat the second sides of the elite clubs for eons. why do you think playing KC will be more challenging if they cannot even win the lower leagues. Kisumu has played rugby for 20 years and for them not to ever win any trophy is saddening and must be the subject of debate and close assessment. why have teams revived like Blak Blad, or new teams like Homeboyz and Strath cracked the top and not kisumu. swali tuuuu
you have missed the point nobody is opposed to an expanded league but due process has to be followed as per the constituion we can't have shareman waking up and over ruling the byelaws whenever he wishes ammend the bye laws via an AGM or SGM and lets play Rugby a wrong is a wrong no matter how good the intention is
@dataminer,
I agree. Kenya rugby stands to gain more than the "Ngong rd" clubs stand to lose with an expanded Kenya Cup.
What are they really losing, other than additional expenses (which KRU has agreed to foot)? Did the tier 1 nations "lose standards" by playing US, Japan, Russia, etc in the world cup? No!, but the US, Japanese, etc players gained invaluable lessons from playing the tier 1 teams.
How about an expanded 12team/2 pool(6 teams each)format; with the top 4 going for semis/finals &3-4rakings, middle 4 going for 5-8 rankings, and last four going for 9-10 rankings/relegation play-offs? This would involve the same amount of travel/expenses as the current 8team/1pool format.
Lol, forgot the disclaimer. If you read carefully, this article is written with tongue firmly in cheek!
All I can say is KRU has won the PR war by positioning the clubs as enti-expansion. But if you listen to them, they agree to expand the league- it's the how?
Guaranteeing a team a permanent position means they have nothing to play for as winning maybe key but once they realize that they will never be relegated, then they can decide not to honor matches after a100-0 drubbing.
When they union say they will fund the expansion, they need to show the clubs the money. You will agree that KRU is not known for keeping fiduciary promises.
Bring on 10, 12 or even 14 teams but handle the due process and allocate resources to it.
kru has not even paid clubs for tournaments they hosted in august and september in 7s circuit. 300K per host. So where will they get money for expanded league. it is sad that press has given clubs a wide berth by not publishing their press release wheere they raise substantive issues e.g. funding, cup rules and the like.
Games will not be on tomorrow. Clubs are playing friendlies. So will Mwangi agree to dialogue?
Can he make good his promise to kick the clubs out?
Omwela is missed! meanwhile someone should tell mitch and his crew of failures that the irb isnt local sevens circuit.Those little boys need like 2 years of serious drilling to even reach where benja played perenially,Bowl.Also while at it fire that conditioning guy coz those kids are as thin as sticks.The other cry baby cardo qwhine needs to start coaching and stop whining.nkt couldnt even coach at quins!Dont get me wrong i think that team looks good for the future but it requires a few more experienced hands.Fiji did it so mojo stop the arrogance and add some experience to that side,Arrogance was benjas downfall.Listen or follow suit
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