Form Three boy warms hearts of rugby crowds

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

It is an action-packed weekend in Nakuru, otherwise known as ‘Naxvegas’, thanks to its rugby bug.

The town, which rugby enthusiasts equate to Las Vegas in USA, is often billed as rugby’s second home after Ngong Road in Nairobi.

The confirmation waits on the pitch at Nakuru Athletics Club, where a 16-year-old schoolboy thrills fans.

And Augustine Ishuga, a Form Three student at Nakuru Day Secondary School, did not disappoint at the Prinsloo Rugby Sevens Championships last weekend. His officiating skills, the firm decisions and command in a sport that is said to be “played by goons and watched by gentlemen” left the packed stadium in awe.

He has no doubt grasped the sport that has many rules and won the hearts of the Kenya Rugby Union Referees Society (KRURS) officials during the three-day Prinsloo Sevens Division Two Championships.

His unbridled love for rugby is visible in his eyes. The diminutive Ishuga requires no crutch to stand tall in the rugby arena as his brilliant officiating continues to immortalise him in the annals of history.

Ishuga said: “You must be ready to listen, to accept criticism from your coaches, players, tutors, and even fans to be a better referee. You should not be temperamental and you must be disciplined.”

Ishuga’s agility and speed could not go unnoticed as he was always a few metres to the ball.

“A referee must be very swift on the pitch in the entire match in order to make effective decisions,” said Ishuga.

He made bold decisions which were expected to elicit protests, but did not.

He has lofty dreams: to one day officiate Kenya Cup matches, which would slide him to the global stage.

“My aim is to grow in the profession slowly as I look forward to officiate international matches one day. I am targeting to at least officiate Kenya Cup matches in two years time,” he said.

 “I have the passion for this sport and, though it’s a technical sport, I’m determined to excel,” he said.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

His trainer, Lameck Ongati, is upbeat the lad can handle the top flight rugby league.

“Ishuga has risen through the ranks to reach this level. He started as a player at the Get Into Rugby programme and showed great interest in rugby officiating.

This is a world programme that helps the development of the sport in each member country while making it easier for the International Rugby Board (IRB) to evaluate its members.

Ishuga started as a young player in the Under-14 schools championships before he graduated to officiating, which has seen him selected into national under-20 squad.

He also turns up for Top Fry Nakuru RFC Under-18 side and has attended officiating courses in Nakuru and Nairobi, which saw him handle the Nakuru County Secondary Schools Fixtures and Junior Club Championships this year.

He was part of the Tour-Aid U-13 team that went to United Kingdom some years back for friendlies.

Ishuga hopes to perform well in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination next year. “I am also preparing for KCSE next year,” he said.