Let's support rugby

The irony will not have been lost on many. No sooner had the Kenyan team in the Rugby Sevens Series beaten favourites Fiji to clinch the Main Cup on Sunday than all and sundry rushed to be part of the jubilation.

Even politicians, who from their posts on social media had no clue what had happened, were not going to be left behind.

No one should begrudge citizens celebrating such a famous win, which by all measure, is a Kenyan one.

But the eruption of celebration across the country raises pertinent questions. There is no doubt it was a hard-fought win. Despite lacking adequate funding, the team put its hearts and minds into the game. In each of the contests, other than the loss to South Africa, the team spirit, the resilience and focus was admirable.

Secondly, the never-say-die attitude is the embodiment of coach Ben Ayimba, who was sacked then rehired when the fortunes of the Sevens team were at their lowest. Within a year, Mr Ayimba has transformed the team into world beaters.

Thirdly, with little or no funding from the State, the team won. What if funding was forthcoming like, say, in football, where our poor show is legendary?