Uganda secures consolation win in Hong Kong

HSBC Hong Kong World Sevens

Uganda 29 Cook Islands 24

It was a little too late for Uganda but yesterday's 29-24 victory over the Cook Islands will serve as a positive, small though it maybe, in what was a forgettable campaign at the HSBC Hong Kong World Sevens.

Though the concerns about Uganda's inability to make it out of the pool phase cannot be diluted by the victory, leaving the tournament without it would have been quite humiliating.

After all, given Uganda's inferiority to Germany and Chile in the world rankings, it was going to require a special effort for Michael Okorach and co. to avoid defeat.

That is, at least, one side of the arguments.

The other is that the dream of qualifying for the main sevens draw increasingly looks out of Uganda's league. Certainly under the current set-up of national sevens.

Without employing new strategies, new methods of preparation, Uganda's desire of obtaining core status looks like a pipe dream.

Kenya's example provides a tried and tested methodology but whether local rugby body URU can find the wherewithal required to implement it here is a matter for debate.

Yet it appears there is no choice.

Talents like Phillip Wokorach (who scored two tries against the Cook Islands) are good enough to make the next step if given more technical and financial support than what currently exists.

Maintaining the status quo will only guarantee the continuance of unsuccessful campaigns like Hong Kong.

The sport has a relatively vibrant schools programme but if the higher levels are not equipped to maximise the annual player inflow from the secondary schools then it will be for nought.