Rugby Union in financial crisis
Aug 26, 2011
UGANDA'S bid to send rugby sevens to the 2012 Olympics looks doomed. The Uganda rugby governing body URU is trapped in financial crisis and might not be able to marshal the women and men’s teams to the games.
By Johnson Were
UGANDA'S bid to send rugby sevens to the 2012 Olympics looks doomed. The Uganda rugby governing body URU is trapped in financial crisis and might not be able to marshal the women and men’s teams to the games.
URU has failed to send the men’s team for the Confederation of Africa (CAR) sevens due this weekend in Lusaka, Zambia where African countries are launching their build-up towards qualification to the 2012 London Olympics.
“We don’t have funds and the subsidy CAR was providing could not cover even 50% of the total cost of our budget,†URU secretary Alex Kalimugogo confirmed without divulging budget details.
“We decided not to summon the team, but in the meantime we are working on a four year strategic plan to avoid such shortcomings in future,†Kalimugogo explained.
URU has also not confirmed the women sevens team to Botswana for the same tournament due October 29-31. The team needs sh64m.
“We are appealing to corporates to rescue us. Until a remedy is found the union cannot commit itself on the trip,†the rugby official stated.
Meanwhile, Pirates Rugby Club yesterday unveiled their new signings ahead of their friendly against Kenya’s Impala Club tomorrow in Kampala.
Pirates has signed several players among them a Kenya national team centre Kevin Omiyo from Impala RFC.
UGANDA'S bid to send rugby sevens to the 2012 Olympics looks doomed. The Uganda rugby governing body URU is trapped in financial crisis and might not be able to marshal the women and men’s teams to the games.
URU has failed to send the men’s team for the Confederation of Africa (CAR) sevens due this weekend in Lusaka, Zambia where African countries are launching their build-up towards qualification to the 2012 London Olympics.
“We don’t have funds and the subsidy CAR was providing could not cover even 50% of the total cost of our budget,†URU secretary Alex Kalimugogo confirmed without divulging budget details.
“We decided not to summon the team, but in the meantime we are working on a four year strategic plan to avoid such shortcomings in future,†Kalimugogo explained.
URU has also not confirmed the women sevens team to Botswana for the same tournament due October 29-31. The team needs sh64m.
“We are appealing to corporates to rescue us. Until a remedy is found the union cannot commit itself on the trip,†the rugby official stated.
Meanwhile, Pirates Rugby Club yesterday unveiled their new signings ahead of their friendly against Kenya’s Impala Club tomorrow in Kampala.
Pirates has signed several players among them a Kenya national team centre Kevin Omiyo from Impala RFC.