Is rugby in Uganda an elitist sport?
RUGBY the world over has been widely regarded as a bourgeois sport. The origins of rugby in England are closely associated with the middle and upper class. In East Africa, the origins of the sport can be traced to the colonialists who made it an exclus
IN THE RUCK - Peter Ofong
RUGBY the world over has been widely regarded as a bourgeois sport. The origins of rugby in England are closely associated with the middle and upper class. In East Africa, the origins of the sport can be traced to the colonialists who made it an exclusive sport for the white community.
Until the 70's rugby in East Africa was a sport played by mainly the white expatriate community.
Participation at school level has also been dominated by middle and upper schools.Kenya. For example, Kenya had white dominated schools like Duke of York school now Lenana, Prince of Wales school now Nairobi school and St Mary's school.
Till date, the Kenya Prescott schools championship has been dominated by the aforementioned schools and the predominantly white Rift Valley Academy.
Middle class schools rule rugby
Back home, the schools titles have been dominated by middle class schools Namilyango College,Kings College Budo and SMACK.
Another indicator is the kind of spectators that throng the rugby clubs every weekend.
Whether they are there for rugby reasons, is highly debatable but the sight of the sleek automobiles in the parking yard and the fashion statements on display is highly ostentious. Uganda Rugby Union has the challenge of changing the perception of the sport especially at the schools level.
Rugby introduced to new territory
There has been a break through with Comboni and Lango College getting a feel of Schools Super division rugby. Tour aid, Tullow Oil and Kyadondo RFC community programmes benefited children from slum areas ,have successful UK tours.
I ask again is rugby in Uganda still viewed as an elite sport?
What is the way forward in terms of popularising and making the game more inclusive to all classes of society?
Faisal Gamma lines out for nuptials
Faisal Gamma arguably Uganda's greatest scrum half renown for his peripheral vision and quick ball from the base, ties the knot with his long time girl friend Patcy Kabagambe today.
May the couple enjoy their marriage. 2009 has surely been a land mark year with many rugby players getting hitched.
This hopefully will prove wrong the stereo type that many rugby players are a bunch of womanising middle/upper class professionals showing off their athletic prowess.
Earlier on, former utility back Brian Tabaruka joined the class of the married.
Full back/winger Simon Wakabi also walked down the aisle in another glamorous ceremony attended by people of all walks of life.
RUGBY the world over has been widely regarded as a bourgeois sport. The origins of rugby in England are closely associated with the middle and upper class. In East Africa, the origins of the sport can be traced to the colonialists who made it an exclusive sport for the white community.
Until the 70's rugby in East Africa was a sport played by mainly the white expatriate community.
Participation at school level has also been dominated by middle and upper schools.Kenya. For example, Kenya had white dominated schools like Duke of York school now Lenana, Prince of Wales school now Nairobi school and St Mary's school.
Till date, the Kenya Prescott schools championship has been dominated by the aforementioned schools and the predominantly white Rift Valley Academy.
Middle class schools rule rugby
Back home, the schools titles have been dominated by middle class schools Namilyango College,Kings College Budo and SMACK.
Another indicator is the kind of spectators that throng the rugby clubs every weekend.
Whether they are there for rugby reasons, is highly debatable but the sight of the sleek automobiles in the parking yard and the fashion statements on display is highly ostentious. Uganda Rugby Union has the challenge of changing the perception of the sport especially at the schools level.
Rugby introduced to new territory
There has been a break through with Comboni and Lango College getting a feel of Schools Super division rugby. Tour aid, Tullow Oil and Kyadondo RFC community programmes benefited children from slum areas ,have successful UK tours.
I ask again is rugby in Uganda still viewed as an elite sport?
What is the way forward in terms of popularising and making the game more inclusive to all classes of society?
Faisal Gamma lines out for nuptials
Faisal Gamma arguably Uganda's greatest scrum half renown for his peripheral vision and quick ball from the base, ties the knot with his long time girl friend Patcy Kabagambe today.
May the couple enjoy their marriage. 2009 has surely been a land mark year with many rugby players getting hitched.
This hopefully will prove wrong the stereo type that many rugby players are a bunch of womanising middle/upper class professionals showing off their athletic prowess.
Earlier on, former utility back Brian Tabaruka joined the class of the married.
Full back/winger Simon Wakabi also walked down the aisle in another glamorous ceremony attended by people of all walks of life.