Global crisis bites at local rugby body
Jan 26, 2009
THE current global financial crisis has cost Uganda Rugby Union (URU) the services of South African coaching director David Dobela.
By Douglas Mazune
THE current global financial crisis has cost Uganda Rugby Union (URU) the services of South African coaching director David Dobela.
South Africa Rugby Union (SARU), which has been paying Dobela’s salary, has terminated the funding citing ‘economic reasons’. SARU has been offering technical aid to Uganda for over five years.
Dobela was supposed to return last week to embark on the Rugby Cranes early preparations for the World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in June.
“We cannot afford paying him. We have put his issue on hold at the moment but preparations will still go on as planned.
The training programme is already done and the technical committee will monitor the players’ performances in the league which kicks off this weekend,†a URU official explained. URU only catered for Dobela’s accommodation, internal transport and allowances.
Coach Yayiro Kasasa will now take full charge of the Cranes who will play Tunisia home and away.
Dobela, who replaced another South African Chester Williams, led Uganda to the Africa Championship victory in Madagascar in September 2007. Dobela’s two-year service saw Uganda rise to third position in the Africa ranking.
The Rugby Cranes registered shock victories over Namibia, Tunisia and Madagascar during his tenure.
THE current global financial crisis has cost Uganda Rugby Union (URU) the services of South African coaching director David Dobela.
South Africa Rugby Union (SARU), which has been paying Dobela’s salary, has terminated the funding citing ‘economic reasons’. SARU has been offering technical aid to Uganda for over five years.
Dobela was supposed to return last week to embark on the Rugby Cranes early preparations for the World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in June.
“We cannot afford paying him. We have put his issue on hold at the moment but preparations will still go on as planned.
The training programme is already done and the technical committee will monitor the players’ performances in the league which kicks off this weekend,†a URU official explained. URU only catered for Dobela’s accommodation, internal transport and allowances.
Coach Yayiro Kasasa will now take full charge of the Cranes who will play Tunisia home and away.
Dobela, who replaced another South African Chester Williams, led Uganda to the Africa Championship victory in Madagascar in September 2007. Dobela’s two-year service saw Uganda rise to third position in the Africa ranking.
The Rugby Cranes registered shock victories over Namibia, Tunisia and Madagascar during his tenure.