Kenya sevens rugby players[photo/potentash.com]
The reality of SportPesa pulling sponsorship out of sports is now sinking with devastating effects, especially at Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
Anxiety has gripped players, coaches, officials and even referees with a standoff looming after KRU chairman Richard Omwela disclosed that the government has not shown any willingness to come to their aid even after informing them that the union needs Sh300 million to cater for the gruesome 2018 season.
That has left KRU in a tight corner and Omwela says they are pondering the painful issue of terminating players’ contract unless the government can chip in.
“We have presented a budget for the whole season which includes the entire series, the Sevens World Cup, and Simbas (Kenya 15s) assignments.
We had committed these allowances because we knew we had a sponsor but this will now drop if we don’t get help,” said Omwela.
The money is needed to run not only Kenya Sevens but Kenya 15s, Kenya Lionesses and Kenya U-20 alongside all age grades.
With 2018 being a busier calendar than past years, the current confusion could not have come at a worse time. Signs of unease within the union were laid bare on Tuesday evening when KRU canceled the team naming event of Kenya Sevens team to the third and fourth World Rugby Series legs in Sidney, Australia, and Hamilton, New Zealand scheduled yesterday without giving an explanation.
The cancellation, however, does not necessarily imply that a squad will not be named or that Kenya will not honor the remaining legs of the Sevens Series since World Rugby caters for traveling and accommodation costs for players, meaning the area of concern is salaries and allowances.
Shujaa players had been contracted but that could all change if the issue of insufficient funds continue to rumble on and by the time of going to press, KRU and the Sevens players who had their final training session yesterday were said to be in a meeting aimed at finding a common ground over the issue.