Cranes tour called off
LOCAL rugby governing body URU has cancelled the Rugby Cranes trip to Zimbabwe for the tri-nations Victoria Cup second leg tie
LOCAL rugby governing body URU has cancelled the Rugby Cranes trip to Zimbabwe for the tri-nations Victoria Cup second leg tie, reports Johnson Were.
According to URU secretary Alex Kalimugogo the trip was cancelled because the players are not physiologically in position to present a formidable challenge against Zimbabwe following the July 11 bomb blasts that left 76 dead at Kyadondo rugby club ground.
“We took a decision last evening and agreed on the position and I am to communicate to Zimbabwe rugby union tomorrow (today),†Kalimugogo confirmed yesterday.
The Cranes beat Zimbabwe 25-14 at home but went on to lose to Kenya 33-25 at Kyadondo and later 21-5 in Nairobi thus losing both the Elgon and Victoria Cup tournament to Kenya. They will now focus on the Confederation of Africa rugby tournament.
Kalimugogo added that he is optimistic their Zimbabwe counterparts will understand the situation Uganda is in and focus on next year’s tournament.
“We are going to set fresh plans for the 2010 Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Cup tournament whose date will be set after the CAR assembly due to sit in South Africa soon.
Uganda last won the CAR cup in 2007 after defeating Madagascar in the final. The Cranes this year face Namibia, Kenya and Cameroon in Pool B in the tournament to be played in Windhoek Namibia.
According to URU secretary Alex Kalimugogo the trip was cancelled because the players are not physiologically in position to present a formidable challenge against Zimbabwe following the July 11 bomb blasts that left 76 dead at Kyadondo rugby club ground.
“We took a decision last evening and agreed on the position and I am to communicate to Zimbabwe rugby union tomorrow (today),†Kalimugogo confirmed yesterday.
The Cranes beat Zimbabwe 25-14 at home but went on to lose to Kenya 33-25 at Kyadondo and later 21-5 in Nairobi thus losing both the Elgon and Victoria Cup tournament to Kenya. They will now focus on the Confederation of Africa rugby tournament.
Kalimugogo added that he is optimistic their Zimbabwe counterparts will understand the situation Uganda is in and focus on next year’s tournament.
“We are going to set fresh plans for the 2010 Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Cup tournament whose date will be set after the CAR assembly due to sit in South Africa soon.
Uganda last won the CAR cup in 2007 after defeating Madagascar in the final. The Cranes this year face Namibia, Kenya and Cameroon in Pool B in the tournament to be played in Windhoek Namibia.