Rugby victory not an accident
Oct 06, 2002
In 1992 I covered the annual Black Rock Easter Rugby Festival in Nairobi and was awed by the gap between Kenya and Ugandan rugby
By James Bakama
In 1992 I covered the annual Black Rock Easter Rugby Festival in Nairobi and was awed by the gap between Kenya and Ugandan rugby.
Uganda , with a fair share of pot bellied ruggers , expectedly lost. It was unimaginable at the time thinking of Uganda catching up with her neighbours.
But Ugandan officials had a different vision. They were confident that with some hard work, the gap would be narrowed.
The hard work paid off on Saturday in the decisive CAR Super Six Pool A tournament. We beat Kenya for the first time in 30 years. And, mind you the win was in Nairobi.
To many Ugandans the win actually sounded like a joke. Kenya, fresh from the World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games, was expected to stroll to victory.
But, those who have been closely following the Ugandan game knew better.
Uganda is reaping from a ten-year project that began with establishment of the Schools Development Program. Results include a big pool of young talent that often leaves selectors spoilt for choice.
And these players are also an ambitious lot determined to take on the world's cream.
Also surprising for a Ugandan team, these youths are ready to die for the nation minus a penny.
Uganda has also proved a good student in its relationship with Kenya. Today's fruits are partly a result of the numerous matches we have played against Kenya.
Coaching is also a factor. In sports you rarely get a superstar who can also teach. National rugby coach Yayiro Kasasa is one of those rare breeds.
He is still young enough to practically teach the skills that made him Uganda's best rugger.
Kasasa's youthful vigour blends with veteran tactician Peter Okot's wisdom to form one of the best coaching partnerships.
But, most important, is the game's clear-headed leadership. In rugby, you never hear of money quarrels.The game supersedes everything.
Chaotic disciplines like soccer, which even with grants worth millions can not put things right, could learn from the rugby experience.
The rugby story is proof that hard work pays.
jbakama@newvision.co.ug
In 1992 I covered the annual Black Rock Easter Rugby Festival in Nairobi and was awed by the gap between Kenya and Ugandan rugby.
Uganda , with a fair share of pot bellied ruggers , expectedly lost. It was unimaginable at the time thinking of Uganda catching up with her neighbours.
But Ugandan officials had a different vision. They were confident that with some hard work, the gap would be narrowed.
The hard work paid off on Saturday in the decisive CAR Super Six Pool A tournament. We beat Kenya for the first time in 30 years. And, mind you the win was in Nairobi.
To many Ugandans the win actually sounded like a joke. Kenya, fresh from the World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games, was expected to stroll to victory.
But, those who have been closely following the Ugandan game knew better.
Uganda is reaping from a ten-year project that began with establishment of the Schools Development Program. Results include a big pool of young talent that often leaves selectors spoilt for choice.
And these players are also an ambitious lot determined to take on the world's cream.
Also surprising for a Ugandan team, these youths are ready to die for the nation minus a penny.
Uganda has also proved a good student in its relationship with Kenya. Today's fruits are partly a result of the numerous matches we have played against Kenya.
Coaching is also a factor. In sports you rarely get a superstar who can also teach. National rugby coach Yayiro Kasasa is one of those rare breeds.
He is still young enough to practically teach the skills that made him Uganda's best rugger.
Kasasa's youthful vigour blends with veteran tactician Peter Okot's wisdom to form one of the best coaching partnerships.
But, most important, is the game's clear-headed leadership. In rugby, you never hear of money quarrels.The game supersedes everything.
Chaotic disciplines like soccer, which even with grants worth millions can not put things right, could learn from the rugby experience.
The rugby story is proof that hard work pays.
jbakama@newvision.co.ug