By Anil Bakari
It is an obvious sign of poor health, but still a man is judged by the size of his tummy. Of course, the contrary happens for women, but that discussion does not have space on this page.
A man, who has a huge tummy, is considered ‘important’ and will be baptised mheshimiwa, never mind the big stomach may be a result of heavy busaa drinking or kwashiorkor.
Such a man will be accorded ‘respect’ especially in social functions like fundraisers. And if he has political ambitions, the tummy may help to convince voters that anatosha (he is qualified).
Blame the wife
Such a man’s mother, many of them who do not understand the mechanics of gyms, will blame the wife for underfeeding him.
Some mothers end up taking over their daughter-in-laws’ kitchens to ensure that they sons are fed properly.
So, used every day to seeing men who struggle to acquire tummies for that ‘perfect’ mheshimiwa look, come September 21, young women will troop to Nyayo Stadium for the Safaricom Sevens to cheer ‘real’ men.
The three-day event, as in previous years, is expected to host a bevy of beauties out to savour the beauty of well-built men, who in sexier terms are known as alpha-men.
Most rugby men have bodies that fall in the category of body types known as endomorphs.
Endomorphs, according to sports encyclopedias, are people who have short arms and legs and a large amount of mass on their frame.
They also have round-shaped heads, wide hips and shoulders and a lot of fat on upper arms and thighs (what most young women dream of), which help them to shine in rugby, a pure strength sport.
Some of the hundreds of women who will throng the Safaricom Sevens will expect to hook up nothing but the alpha-males, especially the foreigners. Their dressing (lack of it actually) and wild cheers will tell it all.
Among the things the fans will look out for from the players are hugs. Most of the young women believe that when a rugby player hugs you, you can stay for weeks without feeling like you need another embrace!
