Impis rewarded for Hima tourney
Nov 08, 2005
DESPITE the failure to lift the Hima Multipurpose rugby 10s trophy, Makerere Hima Impis RFC had something to celebrate about at the end of the two-day tournament at Kyadondo ground over the weekend.
By Ronnie Kintu
Hima 10s final
Kobs 10 Impis 5
MVP
Simon Wakabi (Kobs)
Most upcoming player
John Ochino (Impis)
DESPITE the failure to lift the Hima Multipurpose rugby 10s trophy, Makerere Hima Impis RFC had something to celebrate about at the end of the two-day tournament at Kyadondo ground over the weekend.
The side came second behind Mango Kobs after a 10-5 defeat in the Main Cup final.
Impis however displayed excellent skills and, in appreciation, received sh1m from Hima Cement managing director Mbuvi Ngunze, sh0.5m from MTN chief operations officer Serame Taukobong on top of a share of gate collection of sh1.5m.
“It was a magnificent tournament that we have not had before. The competition was tight, fans came in large numbers and the support from the sponsors was overwhelming,†tournament coordinator George Mbaye said.
Mbaye was however disappointed by the poor turn-up of the foreign teams that pulled out at the last minute. Only Mean Machine from Kenya turned up.
Tanzania and Rwanda national teams did not show up just as Nakuru RFC, KCB, Impala and Mwamba RFC all from Kenya did not appear.
“It was a disappointment not to have as many foreign teams as we had invited but still the competition lived to the standards that were expected,†Mbaye added.
The tournament showed the ever closing gap in the domination of the local scene by the top clubs.
After losing to Heathens in the final of the sevens circuit last month, Kobs revenged by beating their archrivals 10-0 in the semi final of the Main Cup on Sunday, a tie that had tempers flaring.
Hima Cement sponsored the event with Bell Lager, Sanyu FM, AAR, Rwenzori Water, WBS TV and the Makerere Games Union.
Hima 10s final
Kobs 10 Impis 5
MVP
Simon Wakabi (Kobs)
Most upcoming player
John Ochino (Impis)
DESPITE the failure to lift the Hima Multipurpose rugby 10s trophy, Makerere Hima Impis RFC had something to celebrate about at the end of the two-day tournament at Kyadondo ground over the weekend.
The side came second behind Mango Kobs after a 10-5 defeat in the Main Cup final.
Impis however displayed excellent skills and, in appreciation, received sh1m from Hima Cement managing director Mbuvi Ngunze, sh0.5m from MTN chief operations officer Serame Taukobong on top of a share of gate collection of sh1.5m.
“It was a magnificent tournament that we have not had before. The competition was tight, fans came in large numbers and the support from the sponsors was overwhelming,†tournament coordinator George Mbaye said.
Mbaye was however disappointed by the poor turn-up of the foreign teams that pulled out at the last minute. Only Mean Machine from Kenya turned up.
Tanzania and Rwanda national teams did not show up just as Nakuru RFC, KCB, Impala and Mwamba RFC all from Kenya did not appear.
“It was a disappointment not to have as many foreign teams as we had invited but still the competition lived to the standards that were expected,†Mbaye added.
The tournament showed the ever closing gap in the domination of the local scene by the top clubs.
After losing to Heathens in the final of the sevens circuit last month, Kobs revenged by beating their archrivals 10-0 in the semi final of the Main Cup on Sunday, a tie that had tempers flaring.
Hima Cement sponsored the event with Bell Lager, Sanyu FM, AAR, Rwenzori Water, WBS TV and the Makerere Games Union.