Uganda Rugby Sevens squad travels with four players less
The Rugby Cranes travelled with only eight players and were supplemented with four players from the Blue Bulls who are partners with the Union.
Rugby Sevens team training at Namboole. File photo
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
The Uganda Rugby Union had to grapple with taking only eight players to the Willem Strauss International Rugby 7’s tournament hosted by the Blue Bulls president in South Africa.
A 12 man squad including Alan Olango, Pius Ogena, Alex Aturinda, Pius Ogena, Aaron Tukei, Norbert Okeny, Denis Etwau, William Lukwago, Karim Arinaitwe, Mark Osuna, Mubarak Wandera and Robin Odrua had been named but only eight players were given visas in time. Uganda Rugby Union Vice President Technical Eric Butime explained the issue as a miscommunication.
"It was a miscommunication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ugandan High Commission in South Africa and then the South African High Commission in Uganda and the Visa handling office in Uganda. As far as the Union is concerned between the two foreign affairs ministries, the visa mishap was sorted. Our Stellenbosch boys overstayed by 12 hours. Their visas expired a few hours before their scheduled flights were to take off so the entire sevens team was blacklisted,” explained Butime.
Essentially, the Rugby Cranes travelled with only eight players and were supplemented with four players from the Blue Bulls who are partners with the Union.
All this happened in 2023 when the team was preparing for the Challenger series. It is unfortunate that when the decision was taken there was not enough time to allow the team to make other plans. The team has been cleared but communication with Uganda took longer so the boys will be coached and handled by the women’s team manager.
“The clearance was given but the Visa processing time was not adequate to reapply for the games happening today and tomorrow. The ones who travelled will play under the management of the women’s team. The team opted for four players from the Blue Bulls partners to support the team and a women’s coach and team manager are running both teams.”
It is a rather unfortunate undertaking which has cost the experienced players their opportunity but the likes of Malcom Okello will get their day in the sun.