URU should address the concern of players

Last week rugby team players nearly turned their backs to the national team because of lack of pay.

The Rugby Cranes players were reportedly incensed over their outstanding arrears from the Uganda Rugby Union (URU).

It is very unfortunate that wage bonus arrears issue has come ahead of the Africa 7s tournament due in Kampala in November.

Rugby is one of the few lucky sports in the country that command respect from sponsors.

The sport also boasts of a large fan base. This is clearly evident by the large numbers who flock matches especially during international
engagements.

It is also unfortunate that the union is failing to meet its part of the bargain for players welfare. National players earn a paltry sh150,000 each as match allowance for home games and sh250,000 for away matches.

The winning bonus of $100 (sh370,000) and $150 (sh550,000) for home and away matches also should not be a problem for the team that boasts of some sponsorship.

Given the fact that URU fetches decent gate collections besides the sponsorship money, players deserve better treatment. There is no
reason for untimely payments.

URU should stop taking players for granted.

Most of the rugby players have decent jobs, but they sacrifi ce a lot of their time for the good of the sport and country.

For someone to leave his job and sacrifice for the sport is not an easy decision. If it gets to a situation where players lose confi dence in the union, there will be serious repercussions on the sport.

URA should put their house in order and seriously consider the players welfare, if the sport is to develop.