Rugby comes of age
Sep 30, 2007
OPINION<br><b>By Wangwe Mulakha</b><br>Deputy Sports Editor<br><br>The Rugby Cranes Saturday made Uganda proud in the CAR Africa Cup final when they humiliated hosts Madagascar 42-11 to lift the coveted trophy. It was a deserved victory following the semifinals triumph over arch-rivals Kenya on
OPINION
By Wangwe Mulakha
Deputy Sports Editor
The Rugby Cranes Saturday made Uganda proud in the CAR Africa Cup final when they humiliated hosts Madagascar 42-11 to lift the coveted trophy. It was a deserved victory following the semifinals triumph over arch-rivals Kenya on Wednesday.
Uganda was a non entity in the rugby world 10 years ago but has since made a meteoric rise in the sport. Kenya which got IRB recognition several years before Uganda today finds herself in that unfamiliar position of being scared of her neighbour.
Uganda’s position is a result of a very sober leadership that has revolutionalised the sport from a passtime to serious competition.
We only got IRB registration 10 years ago when Kenya was light years ahead. But Uganda’s defeat of Ivory Coast and Namibia who have featured in the World Cup and the Africa Cup victory make many quake. The leadership’s management style and development programmes are commendable. Schools in districts as far as Lira and Gulu now have teams playing competitive rugby — widening the pool of talent.
The executive’s links with rugby super powers like South Africa has brought in trainers like Chester Williams and David Dobela who have in turn imparted priceless knowledge.
Continuity in the team that has had some of the Cranes together for a decade plus commitment on the field has also helped alot. The World Cup should surely be our next target.
By Wangwe Mulakha
Deputy Sports Editor
The Rugby Cranes Saturday made Uganda proud in the CAR Africa Cup final when they humiliated hosts Madagascar 42-11 to lift the coveted trophy. It was a deserved victory following the semifinals triumph over arch-rivals Kenya on Wednesday.
Uganda was a non entity in the rugby world 10 years ago but has since made a meteoric rise in the sport. Kenya which got IRB recognition several years before Uganda today finds herself in that unfamiliar position of being scared of her neighbour.
Uganda’s position is a result of a very sober leadership that has revolutionalised the sport from a passtime to serious competition.
We only got IRB registration 10 years ago when Kenya was light years ahead. But Uganda’s defeat of Ivory Coast and Namibia who have featured in the World Cup and the Africa Cup victory make many quake. The leadership’s management style and development programmes are commendable. Schools in districts as far as Lira and Gulu now have teams playing competitive rugby — widening the pool of talent.
The executive’s links with rugby super powers like South Africa has brought in trainers like Chester Williams and David Dobela who have in turn imparted priceless knowledge.
Continuity in the team that has had some of the Cranes together for a decade plus commitment on the field has also helped alot. The World Cup should surely be our next target.