Mwamba Bags the 2013 Enterprise Cup!!- The player?

Mwamba beat Nakuru RFC 15-10 to scoop the alluring 2013 enterprise cup. The sports reporters must have already told you how Dennis Ombachi grabbed a lose ball to seal the victory despite Nakuru having been awarded a penalty try earlier in the game. Next time come watch for your self, pun intended.

The win splits open the kingship of rugby with the demise of Quins who bullied opponents across the rugby circles for a short-lived span. However the 15s supremacy this season is still yet to be claimed and we hope the Kenya cup Champions and the Enterprise champions will be given a chance in the supremacy tug.

Notable though, Buyachi, Omiyo, Calvin Otieno and some players that were key for Nakuru in the Kenya Cup final were missing in the final played at KRFU yesterday. On the contrary Mwamba were blazing guns with a full squad probably spirited by the impressive former captain Humphrey Khayange’s presence.

It was an unfamiliar celebration to the multiple local 7s circuit champions to shelve 15s silverware. Okombe often gets translated to some ‘hard’ stuff and nocturnal activities.

Mwamba Stalwart Tito Oduk celebrating a former win.

15s Rugby Trend

The win opens the 15s game in Kenya with freshness from the heavy slow forward game that domi nated the game. Teams like Strathmore who play almost similar to the finalists must be motivated by these developments. Hitherto the game was ruled by bully Quins, Kcb, Nondies and other heavy forwards but indeed the dynamism is settling in Kenyan Rugby. Gone are the days 15s Rugby was a domain of the old heavy boy’s slow ball.

Most impressive was the turn out of fun loving and target of sales by the commercialising Kenyans in rugby. Ladies you make men swing wallets for the love of rugby keep it up, we appreciate the energy u bring without which the fans turn out will be miserable. However, seek medical advice before dressing scantly in this rainy weather. *ducks stones*.

The Player?

the player doing his thing.

The big question that I will not duck from though is how the hard fought win reflects in the life of a player? Many hours are put to hard toil and work to get a deserved victory. I am not addressing the Union but you, comrades, who have played this game and understand the systems. You now come to watch with the comfort of a beer and a belly probably.

Once or twice these players lack resources to sustain their productivity in the game just as you hustled to make it for training. What have you done for rugby? CRY FOR THE PLAYER!!!! HELP!!

Hail @tonyango and crew’s effort that raised ‘prize shillings’ during the Kenya Cup Final. God Bless your efforts. If all of us in our capacities did something small we will be a very progressive rugby country. “….it is what you can do for your game” JF Kennedy’s pass.

The writer is a Son of a Banana Farmer @hesmatt

HUJUMA-The Rugby Player's Mind

HUJUMA-The Rugby Player's  Mind

This is where we let the fan meet the players mind garage as the game proceeds...you came and saw me in short shorts running around with the ball but prior to that in as much as you admired me I had hell of pressure pumped into me.... there was the coach, the manager then you the shouting fan.

 The Game Begins

You want results, not because you own the club I play for, but just to spice your Saturday afternoon and give you more reason to drain alcohol down your bitter throat. For one I skipped a party yesterday to be sober enough for this game, as if that is not enough I was forced to take several liters of water so that my body will take the hits you enjoy so much without bulging.

Here I am all set to give you a show, you sit comfortably then order a cold drink, man!! you make me salivate and as if  you don't realize, you go a head and toss for the game.

The player watches and wonders when the 80  min will end to at least quench his now overwhelming thirst. Worse brothers you decide to come with your women,dressed conspicuously for the event, I wonder who advised such brief dressing for rugby matches... now I the player has to balance between the screams of your beautiful gal looking at me willingly,the ball, your bottle,my coach, the captain shouting on top of his voice,,,list is endless.

Weekend Blues

Yesterday was not my day, game got rough and a few punches in the ruck here I am with two red eyes, my boss has been suspecting me of thuggery and God knows what other crimes.

Every Monday I come in tired and disillusioned body couldn't handle the damage,simply because my weekend started on Sunday and I wished it spilled to Monday. I nearly confuse a holiday that falls on Monday with my birthday.... boy..!! then I fully rest and re energize to at least make the boss happy . I wanted to 'Omba Serikal' to make Monday a holiday then I remembered how soccer has disappointed the country.

The Grass Burn 

This time I got lucky at least the injury is hidden in my butt so despite the new walking style, the boss is not gonna think I was in a bar brawl again. I retire to bed , hell the alarm is most uncalled for on a Monday morning.

Coach please understand I will miss the next training don't make me lie, the excuses are a million as you know already.

Hesmatt

@Hesmatt

Fireworks at Enterprise Final Mwamba vs Nakuru 2013

Enterprise Final 2013

Allow me to refer to the finalists as Kulabu(Mwamba) verses Wanyore
(Nakuru). Now why the fire works title? It is not a normal or easy
encounter in the rugby circles when teams that almost play the same
flow meet in a final. The KRU grounds will be the victim  this weekend
as both teams come glaring with hopes for the title.

Wanyore coming from lifting the Kenya Cup lands in Nairobi with 'swag'
, they have refined winning spirits beating KCB and Quins
consisntently to arguably be the threat in Kenya 15s rugby. Buyachi,
Makori, Otieno, Omiyo and crew though should be aware of the deserving
opponent
.

Fire Works

Kulabu, the die hard black shirts bearers, sons of the Railways
grounds have one wild card despite their utter arrogance when it comes
to finals. Your guese is as good as mine. There will be some
thundering speed for 15s game history coupled with surprises from the
core players.
The team is hungry for a 15s title that has evaded the club for a long
run and will not hesitate to state their presence and determination to
bank one. Being more of the home team in tie , the team expects huge
support to rally their cause. Will you be there?

Metal Meets the Grind

Wanyore are quite solid and resilient.And so here comes the fireworks
when the metal will have to meet the stubborn grind. It will be worth
your afternoon to watch these unpredictable teams grind each other for
the esteemed bride.

Both teams have a tendency to play a fast paced game with Nakuru very
solid in their set pieces, while Mwamba is eager to run for the try at
the slightest opportunity. This will be one cruel and grueling battle
of the city with no 'petitions' whatsoever.

Respective coaches opted to rest their players during the Easter party
at Nakuru 10s focusing all energy on the final. Am not sure if it
worked for either since 'Nax Vegas" can be a tricky indulging affair,
but we will obviosly rate energy levels.

My take is purely 'water melon' on this encounter, but the first
battalion to blink may as well say adios to the cup.

Shake off the Easter hangovers and come witness the fierce battle at
the KRU grounds Ngong rd as from 2.pm.

@hesmatt

THE 7S FLARE

 THE 7S FLARE

Rugby 7s is like the last born child who out  classed all before him, it is the greatest gift to the  Kenyan rugby fans world over, it draws great fanaticism that always attracts more. Some quip in social media sites that having created all things and rested God saw it fit on the 8th day to create Kenya 7s, I am tempted to agree.

So what draws the massive interest and support to this form of rugby? Originally rugby was only played in the larger spectrum of 15 players a piece, the game takes 40 minutes each half and to some fans it is rather slow and too long to captivate their interest.
There are other shorter versions of the game played world wide like 10 a side, 12  a side,but the most popular short version remains to be 7s. In Kenya unlike other core rugby nations every young players aspires to play in the national 7s team. Everything around being in the national rugby team is in the 7s version and year after year the competition for selection and improvement in terms of standards is sterling.

Why 7s? given the athleticism of the game and the larger space for play due to reduced numbers, it is a fast game and lasts for fewer minutes thus the avarage fan can watch and enjoy albeit without knowing the rules. It simplifies the game to the fans on the fence and offers them great festive fun and game that draws them to love rugby. Many fans more so ladies will  always attribute their intrest or love for rugby to the 7s game.

In Kenya it is no doubt that Safari 7s(safaricom) needs no introduction or advertising passe, it is a marked calender event anticipated all year for the love of the gave. Our Kenyan athleticism has always been a treasure from the heydays of the great Kipchoge Keino, this propelled the Kenyan team to competitive
7s rugby in the past. But trends are changing, according to vice captain Collins Injera, the game has become more physical and the team had to sweat it out in the gym to match other teams.

With the entry of Chris Brown and Mike Friday tacticians, only more victory can be anticipated as the team heads to Wellington New Zealand leg of the IRB sevens circuit. We must remember the icons of this growth and status that we have attained in the world sevens picture. The guys who were beaten century scores by big teams like New Zealand and held on, those who bled and brought victory and many more supporters of mighty Kenya7s  Edward Rombo, Benjamin Ayimba, Oscar Osir, Michael Makaka,  Humphrey Khayange among others.We salute you all.

And to the fans, ladies hear this... Rugby dictionary ( a STOOL in rugby terms refers to when a player carrying the ball knocks the defending opponent powerfully that the opponent  falls down backward sitting unceremoniously) e.g Collo gave the Australian winger a STOOL.

Have a wonderful rugby weekend!! Shout Kenya 7s all the way games will be pl
Local timings for Kenya's matches at the Wellington Sevens on Friday 1^st February 2013.

Kenya vs. France                         3.00 a.m.

Kenya vs. Argentina                    6.18 a.m.

            Kenya vs. Tonga                          8.52 a.m.

hesmatt inc.

Developing Rugby in Kenya

WHY NOT!!!!

As many as of the same opinion in the rugby players community of Kenya will attest having faced multiple challenges in their pursue of the unpopular game in high school. Burdened with negative attitude from the administration and the school, generalizing of poor character towards the players made a many to eventually bulge to pressure  and throw in the towel.

Besides a few schools from Nairobi and traditional elite schools rugby players have always struggled to survive and take this game forward. We must not surrender the dream, we  now enjoy favorable support across the board, the stereotypes are dying.Less parents are seen in schools causing tantrums over their kids playing rugby,indeed we are getting the good will.But there lacks one pillar, you.

 You who played hardship rugby and now a retired player with fond memories of the struggle to strive in this game we need you to come out and steer the destiny of this game.

Take Charge of Development

In our careers and endeavors let us try to pass on the skills of rugby and grow the interest.Soccer seems to have mark timed over time we need another sport for the Kenyan market and social scene and we are not going to "omba serikali" but as we fought to play against all odds in our day we shall raise this sports interest and class.

I urge you to do a thing or two to increase awareness and support growth of this game. I schooled in one prestigious school in Nyanza and though we got to provincial level I competitions we never had a Coach to at least break the complexity of the sport. sometimes we lost due to poor understanding of the rules or game in general,we relied on recorded games and improvised but we fought and fought.

The spirit to fight against schools like Maseno that invested in sport hardened the rugby in me. But as you will imagine of the whole team only two people  are playing club rugby currently the other buds died away.


Kenyan rugby lacks depth because of poor structures in nurturing talent and general lack of interest by the elites in the sport. however much we want to succeed we must realise that we lose more than we have...I can count  numerous players who dropped the game due to lack of development structures or simply did not reside near a rugby town luckily we are now spreading the  game to the grassroots.

Dropped Heroes

Among the painfully missing is Jambazi from Maseno University 03 an explosive 7s player, Bokush Cardinal Otunga High School 03, the guy topped 100 meters run in Nyanza and virtually scored all trys for the school.At some point he had to get off an on going match to run the 100 m race then rush back for the game since the competitions ran concurrently. Many more guys we can recall that were not lucky to get nurtured yet they were amazingly blessed but they lacked direction.

I challenge you to take the initiative and build a young brother or two, give them the knowledge and motivation.we have professionals out their you don't have to take a ball and teach sort but in your career line be receptive market,embrace,support rugby.we are not doomed, we are in the right course, Kenya Airways noticed the potential, Safaricom  we salute you, Tusker has always been with us help us attract more. Take the leadership take the challenge initiate the redemption comrades.... All the best to kenya 7s as they head to Dubai 2012,,,,

WHAT IS AILING KENYAN RUGBY?

WHAT IS AILING OUR RUGBY?

From the changing room I have watched with disappointment as ego,club, country and player conflict has been unfolding, I have wished away this story but we have to face the low moments apparently facing our national squad. To the disappointment of a many there is absolutely no good in fighting at such a time when the tempo of Kenya rugby is steadily rising but we cannot wish away unresolved issues and wish to succeed.

Today I meet one ardent supporter with an insight that I had to share in the changing room one  Gerald Chege. A true fan bothered and not whining but coming up with awesome logical deductions that I would rather 'copy paste' without fear and let you meet Gerald's mind..

@hesmatt

Gerald Chege

"I have continued to read with dismay, the escalation of matters within the Kenya 7s camp. All our Rugby aspirations as a Nation continue to hinge upon the National 7s team. We even have a scenario where players individually have contracts with KRU that gives the Union undue influence over the players, whereby in the event of conflict between the Union and club, the former shall prevail.

If Kenyans made a rational decision to withdraw from the IRB 7s circuit to concentrate on development of a fully professional Rugby 15s league, where 2nd only to South Africa, the best African talent would come to play and hundreds of Kenyan youngsters would be assured of a good livelihood.

Is it even fathomable that Rugby aficionados would even consider such a radical move? Didn't Argentina (if am not wrong) do the same in the lead-up to Mar del Plata?

All indicators from global analysts indicate that Africa looks set to launch economically, meaning that in some years we will be in a position to sustain such leagues. It is a process and the baby steps should commence right now. The Kenyan Premier League is such a venture who are set to make a quantum leap in several years.

What are the big clubs doing? Harlequins, Nondies, Mwamba, Impala, Nakuru, Strathmore and KCB seem intent on engaging the union on all the wrong reasons. For instance, who should be negotiating for the title rights and Broadcast rights to the Kenya Cup? Shouldn't that money go directly to clubs to enable them to professionalize? Shouldn't we be seeing the end of amateurism in the elite league and the National teams 17 years after the game went Pro? Shouldn't each team have fully fledged academies from juniors to teens?

Why is the union looking to title rights and broadcast rights money to manage Union activities? I have heard many snide remarks about FKF Supremo Sam Nyamweya, who has however managed to convince treasury to give him KES. 200m to fund Federation activities for the year. Coupled with the money from EABL for the National team and FIFA funds, he does not need to bother with KPL title rights of 55m and broadcast rights of upwards 150m per annum.

If Kenya Cup teams are waiting for the dole (transport subsidy) from the KRU, what hope does a club in the Chairman's league have?

No other sport in Kenya has, per capita, more University graduates within its club management, playing unit and Union ranks than Rugby. It is important to remove the tag of 'educated fools' in the way it (the sport) handles its business.

The Big 5 clubs in England (Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham) together with the FA led to a breakaway from the Football League in 1991, sold rights to BskyB and the rest, as they say, is history. They took, to quote Robert Frost -The road less traveled, 20 years later they can say, 'it has made all the difference'.

KRU has nothing to fear by allowing the clubs to go PRO, and the clubs need to reflect deeply on where they want to go. What does it say, that guys we played with all those years ago are now in charge of clubs and Union doing the exact same thing their predecessors did?

That is why I submit, let us withdraw from the IRB 7s circuit at the end of this season and focus our energies in creating a professional 15s league, creating continental competition for league champions and having our own version of the 6 Nations competitions. The 7s will be a natural progression from this."

 

NAX VEGAS 2013

 SON OF A BANANA FARMER PACKS UP..

Son of a banana farmer walks through the plantations in a tattered trouser, carrying a machete and jembe, whistling knowingly. It is a few days remaining to harvest, the rains were short and whenever they lasted hailstones came through harshly. Nevertheless, the leaves are green again; the sun has been kind to the highlands.

 They brought a white agriculturalist named some day of the week (Friday) things have been good ever since. Rugby 7s is coming of age, the shorter version was meant for Kenya. Ladies there is Tens rugby (heard a friend describe it as a longer 7s) or you can just call it Nax Vegas 10s Easter party.

As the son of a banana farmer hums a Kisii tune three things keep popping out of his subconscious  *Kenya 7s* , * Nax Vegas* , * Bamburi*.  It is practically, though not literally, a rugby mating season.Time to clean up  and head to town.

Hong Kong 7S

Hong Kong 7s has better timing compared to the wee time one has to wake up to watch other IRB legs. The last few legs made my neighbor very cold towards me after I consistently kept knocking at his door @2 A.M to watch the hailed 7s. Matendechere, (my recently married neighbor) grudgingly always opens, he too knows when the game is on it is not personal. Don't mistake a banana farmer not to afford cable TV, my cable TV is controlled solely by the Landlord who has a fetish for soccer. He even made us sign an agreement not to ever complain ask him to cede the authority.

Matendechere

Matendechere is a very prolific winger that rugby circles will miss dearly. He retired because he couldn't manage rugby and marriage concurrently. Your guess is right, he got an injury. He is a very interesting guy more so when the wife who comes from Mavoko County is away. A while back, I asked him why he chose to play rugby in high school. Guy looks at me squarely and says, “boss Ugali" apparently in his school rugby guys were served more of the ''white gold' and he could not mind the cost.

Back to Nax Vegas, Son a banana farmer knows no better Easter than a trip to the Rift Valley's heart. For almost six years I have faithfully spent my Easter holiday the best way a rugby player will advise. Of course not without the ever hungry police in Nax who suddenly flood the streets at night. Privy to know that the Boda Bodas come in handy at night in-case you thought of strolling which may end in a cold night cell. Rugby is a party and Nakuru tens has always been the never disappointing destination.

Wanyore Cream

Credit to Wanyore now boasting as Menengai Oil (Liquid Cash) Wanyore for the outstanding preparation and hosting of half of bored Nairobi revelers with no idea about rugby. The ladies never disappoint, one doesn't have to understand rugby, and men are naturally entertained. Ladies!, respect to the genius who saw it fit for rugby players to save on material used to make rugby shorts though the athletics one must have known Aristotle personally..

Bamburi will come soon after to nurse the hang over, son of a banana farmer will be in the changing room to eavesdrop for you. Rugby never dips take your time and stay tuned.

(Lightly ladies and gentlemen, here is a tot!!)  In other news one man Collins Injera is losing it, police reported him making six attempts (trys) at an Impala which seemed submissive .Police spokesman was furious. “We want mass action, we can not have one man beat an Impala mercilessly" he thundered. The Impala owners are urging Shujaa to take away their burden of trys before the next encounter.

@hesmatt

Hesmatt

TYRANNY OF SPORTS MANAGEMENT

 TYRANNY OF SPORTS MANAGEMENT

Unlike business where one sits down and plans pros and cons with a vision for interests and profits, sports management is an art that a many are yet to understand. I say this in picking a bone with businessmen who get  an opportunity to manage sports and start throwing all manners of boardroom
tantrums. Lest  I am misunderstood , I have no problem with the corporate view of sports or bureaucracy but with the most essential bit of player management.

In Europe, coaches are called team managers for a bigger reason than we notice. Managing the players is a wide pitch that can not be taken for granted if we were to succeed in transforming amateur sports in Kenya to professional sides. Best example is the unruly former Manchester city player Super Mario Balotelli, he was difficult to manage....I agree but somehow the manager who I must hail got the results from him when it mattered. There is a chemistry  between people who understand what sport entails, the adrenaline rush, the anxiety, the excitement and the satisfaction to perform that seldom goes wrong.

Coach responsibility

I believe the coach should be given more mandate in player management than a sport instructor, correct me if am wrong but I tend to decipher from the on goings at KRU that Friday sympathizes with Injera. Whatever was the subject of contention is being thrown out of proportion by these structures of management that may not understand the juice of rugby. A player of Injera's caliber and achievement cannot throw years of hard out of the window if all systems were working at KRU. Isolating him and not settling the issue is a time bomb and may soon start drawing lines in the team. As already witnessed, you can not wish away the disgruntles upon the termination of his contract from some senior players. KRU challenging to look for new players if players boycotted the upcoming IRB legs clearly shows the type of 'Adolfness' thriving.

Sport management needs understanding and appreciating players and not tying individuals in a scare gag to get results. Teamwork takes time to build, such incidences will only tear the team apart and in time we will be wondering where the rain started beating us. There is utmost need for cohesion in such a time when rugby is highly celebrated by the Kenyan fans to continue delivering. Listening to the players and treating them with some respect will motivate their performance and out put. In as much as the details of the controversy remain fuzzy one thing remains clear, KRU could not solve a mere dispute with their best player so far because of hard line stances by a fraction of the management that hardly knows the passion of playing rugby.  It is unfortunate.

 Case of Collins Injera

I have watched Injera so many times, played with and against him, any rugby player will tell you it will take some time to replace his class. The genius, speed, tackle, awareness,and reaction is unmatched. But why not compromise and hear the dark man? Injera has gained a lot from the team he is an investment that has duly paid back and rightly so an asset to the team. Many young players look up to him and suffice to say injustice to my role model will taint my dreams. Media may eat into the story to make a pay but lest we hold back and look into the person, victim and slayer, it may be another case of AFRICA KILLS HER SUN.

Hesmatt

@hesmatt