RUGBY UNION did The right thing in averting standoff

I must give credit to the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) for their handling of what was a very delicate situation involving the strike amongst core players of the Kenya national sevens squad.

I must admit that when I first saw the list of the three teams competing in this weekend’s Safaricom Sevens, I was shocked like every other local rugby fan.

However, when I dug deeper into finding out about the stand-off between the technical bench and the striking players. I felt Paul Treu had no choice but to take charge of what was increasingly becoming an untenable situation for the sport at large.

The Kenya national sevens team has, over the last few years, become the benchmark for what other local team sports aspire, gaining new fans and respect around the world. The team’s dip in results last season brought out unprecedented attention from Kenya sports fans, with the majority trying to seek solutions for the team’s problems under the new South African coach.

The bar had been raised to truly world-class levels, but a number of established players were either playing below par, or struggling to adjust to Treu’s coaching and technical methods.

The problem is that the squad had signed two-year contracts and there was no performance clause inserted. It appears that tension had been building between the ‘established’ players and the technical bench, and it spectacularly blew up after the Commonwealth Games.

Exactly what finally broke the straw is not clear, but the Humphrey Kayange injury and subsequent delayed surgery appear to be part of the problem, with the players claiming the medical insurance provided is not up to par.

As much as the players have their grievances, they could’ve handled it better. The Safaricom Sevens is the biggest annual tournament in the rugby calendar, and the sporting public pays good money to see their heroes in person. Rather than have a hard-line stand, the aggrieved party should have worked on a compromised deal with the union and technical bench.

After all, playing for your country is a privilege and not a right; and those players that have been a part of the squad for a while should remember that no player is bigger than the team.

KPL TITLE

Reigning champions Gor Mahia blew their chance to increase their advantage at the top of the Kenya Premier League midweek following their goalless draw with Bandari.

However, Tusker lost 2-1 to Ulinzi making it virtually impossible for them to win the league. Every time K’Ogalo have conceded points, Tusker have not taken advantage.

From the moment the brewers complained about the long trip to play away with Chemelil, their season seemingly fell apart, and their complaints baffled the football fraternity as the team has the resources to fly to away legs.

Tusker had a brilliant first leg in the league. However, while Gor were away in Rwanda for Cecafa Club Championship, they failed to take advantage, and now with four matches left, it seems like time is running out.

The league appears to be a two-horse race between Gor and Sofapaka. The two teams meet in a couple of weeks in what could be a defining game. Gor have the easier run in, but as we’ve seen in the league so far, anything can happen.

Meanwhile, Ulinzi’s win over Tusker FC keeps the former in fifth place, and Tusker’s loss remarkably gives Chemilil a chance to overhaul them and finish third.

The battle for sixth, seventh and eighth is getting tight, featuring Sony, Thika, Mathare, KRA, Muhoroni, Western Stima and AFC Leopards. Bandari are also chasing a Top 8 place, and that means every point will count.

As for the bottom, KCB, City Stars and Nakuru All Stars are fighting for survival. Nakuru look dead and buried, while KCB’s recent run makes them the best bet for survival.

AFC Leopards have had a torrid week. The team suspended goalkeeper Ricky Kasaya, who seems to be having a frosty relationship with coach Pieter De Jong.

Kasaya is one of the top keepers in the country and we hope the dispute between both parties is resolved soon.

Ingwe meet a battered and bruised Tusker in the GOtv quarter-finals tomorrow, and this is the final chance for Leopards to clinch silverware against the reigning Top 8 champions.

In other matches, West Kenya Sugar, who are coached by former Sofapaka coach Hezekiel Akwana (the only coach to have beaten an Egyptian side and dumped them out of an African competition), play Agro Chemicals today, while Posta Rangers clash with Bandari in a potentially tricky tie.

Tomorrow, Sofapaka play Administration Police, who are second from bottom in Zone A Super League, This could be target practice as Sofapaka are the highest scoring team in the KPL, and have scored a remarkable fourteen goals in their last two GOtv Shield matches.

Off the pitch, the Football Kenya Federation held their Special General Meeting in Eldoret yesterday, where they were to fill the posts of vice-chairman of the body, Nairobi and Coast representatives.

Former vice-chairman Sam Shollei, went to court to try and stop the meeting from going ahead, while Hussein Terry has taken his battle to Fifa to lift his life ban.

WORLD CLASS WEEK

Apart from the Safaricom Sevens this weekend, the Rift Valley Odyssey mountain bike stage was this week held over some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, from the highlands of Limuru to the bottom of the Rift Valley.

Featuring world-class riders like South African champion Kevin Evans, the event defied the notorious travel advisories to go ahead with a strong field, and well done to race director Eric Nesbitt for promoting sports tourism, which I’ve mentioned before in this article needs to be taken more seriously by the Government.

Nairobi sports fans will be spoilt for choice tomorrow, as the Safaricom Sevens at Kasarani continues on the same day as the hosting of another iconic annual event, the Concours D’Elegance at the Ngong’ Racecourse, which is now in it’s 44th consecutive year, largely thanks to the unswerving efforts of Bob Dewar and the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.

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