The Punter
3 October 2005
Nairobi — A silent revolution is being felt in Kenya's rugby with the women's rugby coming of age.
The Kabeberi seven-a-side tournament, the second in the Kenya Rugby Football Union national sevens circuit is synonymous with women's rugby. For the past three years, this category which was initially introduced as a side-show for the men's game has been stealing the limelight.
Kasamti Pacifique of Rwanda's Silverbacks (number 11) is tackled by Yvonne Mwakali of Nandi Flames during the Kabeberi Sevens rugby tournament at the Moi International Sports Centre last week. Silverbacks won. Women's rugby is taking root in East Africa.
Photo/Mohammed Amin
Mwangi Muthee, the Mwamba RFC chairman and a former Kenya prop has been emphatic about the development of the game. He has steadily seen this obsession turning into reality. He had to convert hockey players from one of the top women's teams Sliders into rugby players.
This was a good start because all he had to do was to impart rugby basics.
At the Nairobi Railway training ground, Muthee with his lieutenant Joe had only one instruction for the players: "When you get the ball, run like burglary." Of course, the women burst out laughing at this stern-faced businessman and golfer who lives for sport. They took a hint and sped for the try-line.
A few shirts were torn and the shyness was eroded as the women started to enjoy the game. They were thrown into the limelight during the annual Safari Sevens. This was a bigger stage and obviously, they felt the jitters.
Uganda who made great strides in the women's game arrived on the scene. They were better refined and more passionate unlike the Kenyans who still regarded fun as the principal ingredient in their rugby.
Grasp of the game
The Kenyan girls have now resolved to improve and emulate if not overtake the Ugandans who play under the banner of Thunderbirds.
Indeed, the Thunderbirds have rocked the Kenya rugby scene for two years. Besides their good grasp of the game, T-birds,captained by Helen Buteme, have a 'psyche' song with lyrics along the lines of "We gonna ruck, maul, pillage and burn." The hakka it may not be, but fear it instills as their opponents can testify.
Last year, Thunderbirds swept all before them in the Safari Sevens but were left with a bitter taste of Kenya's hospitality. Thanks to a former KRFU director Frank Ojiambo who came to the rescue, responding to the players' needs and providing them with dinner.
When a Kenya women's 15's side travelled to Uganda this year, rugby seemed to have taken root as the KRFU Board appointed somebody to co-ordinate women's rugby to narrow the gap between Uganda and Kenya which had widened.
At last weekend's Kabeberi Sevens Kenya fielded three women's teams to battle it out for the ultimate trophy. The message had been spread to Rwanda and Burundi. Rwanda's Silverbacks made their maiden appearance in Nairobi.
Announced arrival loudly
The first day of competition in the women's category gave a glimpse of what the players were capable of.
Tsavo Cats, an outfit from the Mwamba stable brushed aside the determined Silverbacks 19-0. This was a gritty match. The Rwandese certainly announced their arrival loudly. They tackled hard and were quick on the break. The Tsavo Cats however, held on with Irene Moraa, Anita Omondi and Doreen Remour starring.
The Tsavo Cats' scrum-half Mary Musieka worked quietly behind the scrum bringing down heavier opponents when not taking piggy back rides on Thunderbirds" captain Christine Kizito. Musieka later earned the nickname 'Serevi' after the Fijian Sevens rugby player Waisale.
She was deservedly named the Most Valuable Player.
Even the great Buteme was impressed.
"She thinks rugby and is a great player," she said.
The Tsavo Cats also had Irene Nyakundi, Angela Olum, Anita Omondi and Linda Anyango who steadied the boat when on stormy waters.
The Thunderbirds comprised the bulk of national team players and as defending champions were expected to carry the title. Kizito's girls had a trouble-free first day barely conceding a try. The sure boots of Rachael Kakaire and free-running Stella Bakole, Sauda Adiru, Asha Sonko, Regina Lunyolo and Harriet Kayongo brought smiles to the faces of team officials Jackie Kigozi and Lilian Ikulumet.
The final between Thunderbirds and Tsavo Cats kept fans glued to their seats. It was a match where both teams brought out top class rugby. Richard Omwela, the KRFU chairman said it was the best women's game he had seen in a long time. "I am sure this is a sign of better things to come," he said.
Although the match ended in a 5-5 draw, an indelible mark had been made on the women's game.
Black Panthers, an off-shoot of Thunderbirds came on a learning mission. Warry Nambirige, Charlotte Mudoola, Hadijah Namuyanja and Buteme felt the pressure on the opening day and needed steady nerves to beat the Silverbacks. The Ugandan side were slow starters relying only on a few players to deliver. When they started firing on all cylinders on the second day, they were a delight to watch. It's just a matter of time before they become a formidable side.
Silverbacks won their first trophy beating Nandi Flames in the Bowl final. Agnes Nkurikiyimfura who captained Silverbacks was obviously delighted. "This is a great boost for our rugby. We have something to show and maybe the government will now give us some support," she hinted.
Kenya Harlequin have taken the bull by the horn and formed a women's team. They reached the Plate final on their first attempt. Neighbours Impala are toying with with the idea of also starting as women's side.
Problems in women's rugby are not only confined to Rwanda. "Back at home, we practice on very hard ground because we are not allowed near the men's teams. They believe we are not capable and offer little assistance," the Silverbacks captain says.
What will it take for the women's game in Kenya to rise? Sadik Makii, the KRFU Director incharge of sevens rugby says: "The base can be increased if clubs encourage the formation of women's sides."
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