Rugby union looks back to 2005 with a smile
Dec 21, 2005
MAKING it to the second last qualifying stage of the International Rugby Board (IRB) 2007 World Cup was a milestone for the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) in the 2005 season.
By Ronnie Kintu
MAKING it to the second last qualifying stage of the International Rugby Board (IRB) 2007 World Cup was a milestone for the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) in the 2005 season.
Uganda is now among the top six African countries contesting for two slots at the world summit that will feature the mighty countries of the game in France.
Ivory Coast, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Kenya and Uganda are the other African nations, two steps from away from playing at the World Cup.
Uganda started the campaign on a false note, losing to Kenya in the first game 8-5 at Kyadondo ground.
“We failed to use our chances and the opponents took advantage to snatch victory but let us reflect on the Madagascar game next,†national coach Yayiro Kasasa said after the match at Kyadondo.
It was as planned by the coach. The boys upset Madagascar with an 18-14 victory in Antananarivo,. Uganda came second in the pool, qualifying for the play-offs.
Zimbabwe went on to beat Uganda 22-16 in the first leg at Kyadondo but a week later, the Cranes revenged with a 20-9 victory at Kampala Club and also got the bonus point needed to qualify for the next stage.
“We have never reached this far and this is a very big achievement for the sport in this country. We only hope we can keep going,†country manager Herbert Wafula said.
On the local scene, the year has had its revelations, with the monoply over trophies broken.
MTN Heathens lifted the Bell Lager national league, beating defending champions Mango Kobs to the mark.
The league was competitive especially among the top four sides (Heathens, Kobs, Pirates and Rhinos) who kept exchanging positions.
In the Bell Uganda Cup, Kobs also overturned the form book by dethroning Heathens side that had dominated the championship for more than six years.
The most interesting tournament was the national Sevens Circuit that had four different clubs winning each leg.
Kobs, Heathens, Impis and Pirates won the four legs respectively, with Heathens emerging overall winners.
“We realized the fact that all teams worked hard to break the monopoly in various tournaments which is good for the local competitions,†Wafula said as he reviewed the season.
To climax the season, URU changed the venue for the prestigious annual Makerere Tens, which was held at Kyadondo.
Kobs emerged winners of the Hima Cement-sponsored event despite facing stiff competition from other clubs.
A big applause goes to the new administration at URU led by Andrew Owiny (top right) who seemed to be fitting in the oversized shoes left by Paul Sigombe in March.
Over 50 new secondary schools have taken on rugby countrywide, making the total number 103 and many primary schools through the tag rugby scheme have also picked on the game.
Women rugby has also boomed with more secondary schools like Makerere College, St Lawrence, St Katherine and defending champions Bethany High School vigorously competing.
The annual schools tournaments were successfully held for the boys and girls and the inaugural Super Three club championship was also successfully held.
The 2006 season starts on a bang with the Bell Lager league set to begin early February.
MAKING it to the second last qualifying stage of the International Rugby Board (IRB) 2007 World Cup was a milestone for the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) in the 2005 season.
Uganda is now among the top six African countries contesting for two slots at the world summit that will feature the mighty countries of the game in France.
Ivory Coast, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Kenya and Uganda are the other African nations, two steps from away from playing at the World Cup.
Uganda started the campaign on a false note, losing to Kenya in the first game 8-5 at Kyadondo ground.
“We failed to use our chances and the opponents took advantage to snatch victory but let us reflect on the Madagascar game next,†national coach Yayiro Kasasa said after the match at Kyadondo.
It was as planned by the coach. The boys upset Madagascar with an 18-14 victory in Antananarivo,. Uganda came second in the pool, qualifying for the play-offs.
Zimbabwe went on to beat Uganda 22-16 in the first leg at Kyadondo but a week later, the Cranes revenged with a 20-9 victory at Kampala Club and also got the bonus point needed to qualify for the next stage.
“We have never reached this far and this is a very big achievement for the sport in this country. We only hope we can keep going,†country manager Herbert Wafula said.
On the local scene, the year has had its revelations, with the monoply over trophies broken.
MTN Heathens lifted the Bell Lager national league, beating defending champions Mango Kobs to the mark.
The league was competitive especially among the top four sides (Heathens, Kobs, Pirates and Rhinos) who kept exchanging positions.
In the Bell Uganda Cup, Kobs also overturned the form book by dethroning Heathens side that had dominated the championship for more than six years.
The most interesting tournament was the national Sevens Circuit that had four different clubs winning each leg.
Kobs, Heathens, Impis and Pirates won the four legs respectively, with Heathens emerging overall winners.
“We realized the fact that all teams worked hard to break the monopoly in various tournaments which is good for the local competitions,†Wafula said as he reviewed the season.
To climax the season, URU changed the venue for the prestigious annual Makerere Tens, which was held at Kyadondo.
Kobs emerged winners of the Hima Cement-sponsored event despite facing stiff competition from other clubs.
A big applause goes to the new administration at URU led by Andrew Owiny (top right) who seemed to be fitting in the oversized shoes left by Paul Sigombe in March.
Over 50 new secondary schools have taken on rugby countrywide, making the total number 103 and many primary schools through the tag rugby scheme have also picked on the game.
Women rugby has also boomed with more secondary schools like Makerere College, St Lawrence, St Katherine and defending champions Bethany High School vigorously competing.
The annual schools tournaments were successfully held for the boys and girls and the inaugural Super Three club championship was also successfully held.
The 2006 season starts on a bang with the Bell Lager league set to begin early February.