SAFARI SEVENS SCORECARD: Time to look at what went wrong, what went right in the annual rugby tourney

2015 Sevens Rugby action

After the final whistle of the 20th edition of the Safari Rugby Sevens was blown, it is now time for stocktaking.

What are the highs, what are the lows of the annual tournament. This was the highest point of the national Sevens circuit season, but certainly, it had its shortcomings.

Although the turnout was abysmal, it wasn’t pegged on the quality of the game on the pitch and organisation. It is like the naught word; no one wanted to say it, but the fact is that there was less hype and publicity ahead of the 16-team tournament.

Safaricom made a comeback as the tournament’s sponsors and there was also the attraction of top international teams to the tourney but still, there was less talk about the Africa’s premier Sevens tournament despite it getting World Rugby approval five days ago.

The need to secure more commercial partners remains an urgent priority. But such a poor turnout last weekend is not the image Kenya Rugby Union would have wished for as they woo sponsors.

Unlike the previous editions, where the tournament’s sponsors took their ‘A’ game to social media, mobile phones and mainstream media in a bid to woo rugby fans, that was lacking in this year’s 20th edition.

Although KRU Chairman Richard Omwela attributed the issue to lack of adequate sponsorship, he said the tournament should not be judged on the empty seats in the stadium, but on the improved quality of the game.

“As you are aware, we are running on a very low budget due to lack of adequate sponsors. Everything related to publicity calls for money and this year, there was no budget for that. It was a chicken-and-egg situation, but social media has really helped us. We concentrated on flying in the teams and accommodation. We didn’t have money to advertise on the media, but we tried to do our best,” Omwela said.

“Despite failing to get a title sponsor, we had a very competitive and successful tournament. We would have cancelled it had Safaricom not come on board.

“But it is also regrettable that one of our directors called our partners, Nairobi Sports House, and told them not to sell tickets. We are still investigating that incidence.”

Godwin Karuga, the Safari Sevens tournament director said: “The turnout has really dropped and we are not happy with that. But I think it is because of the communication problems we encountered. We just had 22 days to organise it, but we hope to use a different model next year.”

According to Safaricom Ltd’s Head of Corporate Communications Kui Kinyanjui, change of the tournament’s name and late sponsorship could be some of the reasons there was less hype before and during the tournament.

“Sponsors came on board rather late for KRU to stage a world-class event. Previously, it was Safaricom Safari Sevens, but this year, it is Safari Sevens. All the same, it was worth watching,” said Kinyanjui.

On the pitch, it was a bad ending for Kenya after Shujaa lost 20-19 to Samurai International.

By Ochieng Oyugi 18 mins ago
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