 Good afternoon and welcome back to the program. This is the touchline on Y25. My name is Mark Selwa. We are reviewing what is happening in South Africa as far as Cape Town 7s is concerned. The second leg of HSBC World 7 series currently under way Kenya, looking pretty sure to qualify to the main cup quarters after their victories against Samoa yesterday and against Australia this particular afternoon. Remember they are playing their last clash against Ireland at 5.47pm and of course we are going to delve straight into what is happening in Bari, sila, robust sports journalist alongside Fredo Penda, our residential guest analyst. Joining us this particular afternoon, gentlemen, good to have you on board Bari. What's good man? Everything is good. I think sports wise we are doing well. This weekend looks really lively, especially going by what Kenya 7s is doing and even locally I think there is a lot of stuff going on. Fred, man, it's been a minute. It's been a minute. Why have you been up to? A lot of issues man, but I'm happy to be back and it's always getting spotty on Saturday afternoons and since we have plenty of spotting activities in store, rugby 7s, we have the EPL, we have the KPL, we have the Secafa. We have the Secafa, so it's really looking up good, weekend is up and running and you know blend of Christmas mood, you know talking about sports, it's just epic. Let's talk about what's happening in South Africa as far as Cape Town 7s is concerned. The coming on board of the heavyweights, the regulars, do you think it's given the national team that much needed impeters? Yeah, it was needed. It was much needed because you remember what happened in Dubai, that was unexpected. Finishing 13th, performance was really this small. I don't remember the last time we performed this poorly, but now they noticed, the team management noticed and brought the old guards on board and now you see what's happening, a competitive game against Samoa, a very competitive game against Australia and they've done perfectly well. I think this group was really tight and it was for us a chance to redeem ourselves and so far we've done really well. Yes. You know how it is when it comes to recycling coaches, hiring and firing. Paul Finney is in charge, having taken over from Paul Murunga. This small show, just like he said, horrible performance during the first leg in Dubai. This time round, is he redeeming himself? Of course, to the task. Of course, and I think he came into his senses and realized that going into these matches we need experience and that's why they went back and called, let's say, the old guard to bring that much needed experience because during the first leg we saw a few faces who did not have the 7s, the series experience, but now having the old guard on board then trust me maybe in the afternoon then this evening we may be showing what we did yesterday and this morning. Andrew Amund has given 100% commitment to the national team. You remember even during that time of you know, conceptual dispute between the playing unit and Kenya rugby, when heavyweights had absconded a duty that's calling Sinjera, William Baka, the likes of Osco, Umma, Samuel Leach, Bilio Diambu. Andrew Amund was available for the national team and he's been sensational for even his club that is KCB during Kenya Cup campaign. Is he the key behind this breakthrough? I agree. I think Andrew first of all is a natural born leader and is a role model. Remember he doesn't, as a leader sometimes you cover up for some of the misgivings of the rest of the team so he's done pretty well during the time, the last leg when some of the heavyweights, the big ones were missing, he led the youngsters, they are right again. He's naturally leading from the front and this is a very important person in the middle of the team even if he doesn't perform naturally. You know, you want a leader who commands respect among the peers and that's what Andrew is doing currently. The absence of calling Sinjera of course is back in the team but on the sidelines due to an injury is not featuring during the KT7s. Do you think his unavailability is sort of positive in these guys to another player who might come on board replacing? I've never had this feeling that an injury to a player might be a positive vibe to another player. It does, you remember English Premier League football when Marcus Rashford came on board? I think that time when United was suffering from a situation where several of their players were injured and therefore Luis Vagal had to bring him on board and that is against us and all he scored on his full Premier debut and all that. But remember what I'm trying to say is the injury part because now we are really missing his experience in that squad but still as you said other players need to step up and feel that void. We saw during the rugby, was it Kenya? When it was still on the coaching bench, we were at Gongrod. He had that influence in the team. Exactly Safari 7. So I think him being on the sidelines still helps because he'll still coach the young ones maybe from the bench those who are there for the subs and all that. But for the squad we are going to really miss his experience. And by the way in other modern and civilized countries player of Colin Sinjera's Caliban pedigree despite the fact that he's injured he would have travelled with the team just to give them morale. How come it's not happening in Kenya? Is it because of resources? I hate to put it that way but I think sometimes they want to cut cost. If you're not really fit you're not going to add any value but like he said the experience even on the touch line for a player like Colin is very key. You can imagine for example if Andrew wasn't there the next senior player I think is Colin. So we need experience to help the other boys push on even when times are thick and things are not going the right way. These guys are critical. So even if Colin was on the bench alongside the technical guys it would have really made a difference. And you know there has been several revelations within the team the youngsters Daniel Tabu, Johnston Olindi, Billy the kid of the Ambo, the former Strathmo University students and of course they have been pivotal to the team. Do you think that blend of youth and experience has also been of much importance? Exactly it is very much important because you know this is a team and it's a going concern because if you're going to have only the experience players in the squad what do you bring on board? So this experience, the experience of the young ones in the squad when they blend with the veterans is really helpful going forward when now we'll need to change that squad bit by bit because definitely these guys are going to retire the veterans are going to retire then the young ones having gained that experience will be able to step up and put the Kenya 7s team where it's supposed to be in the rugby 7s map. Squad selection, I know you've covered school games and those schools associated with you know rugby that powerhouse when it comes to matters rugby Maseno, Kamega High School. Do you think now the scouting team of Kenya rugby union should go to the grassroot and start sporting players who would replace the ageing category of players like in JR, Monde, Ambaka? I believe there's a development unit at KRU Yes, I think Malimkombu is in charge. Yes, they look at, they walk in closed layers and with KSA, Kenya's Secondary School Sports Association and the individual coaches of these schools like Klenanas and Mary Strathman all these big wigs and at the same time for the past couple of years KRU has invested a lot through the 7s circuit. The national 7s circuit, the Dala 7s, Griftwood They use those circuits to spot emerging talent. You realize every year there's always a different kind of emerging talent in the national team. I think that's also very important but the base is always the schools. It's important to start from picking them and growing them, starting picking them, picking them to Chippu, the junior team and then as they come up to the upper ranks that's how it's supposed to be basically, yes. You agree? Yes, I agree of course because I remember last time when you had the KRU chairman here he actually did mention some of the players that he had spotted and I think having that development unit at KRU really helps because going to the grass roots going to the high school, the big wins in rugby then we'll be able to maybe give that development team opportunity to maybe pick out the standout players and then try to bring them into the young squad of the Kenya rugby because if we are not going to the grass roots to spot these kids where will we be seeing them and then I think another challenge for the development team at KRU might be the facilitation. These things need facilitation and this is of course money wise because we saw issues past a couple of months concerning financial issues let's say financial issues concerning KRU so if we are going to get good facilitation and a good team at KRU then we are going to spot these kids and bring them on board. Definitely, of course you can get in touch and send your feedback via double two and six to starting with the word touch be part of the program as well. Muhamed Okola is watching of course Muhamed Okola I remember your days at Multimedia University you had support of the sports what are your comments with regards to Mata's rugby locally of course he's watching from Riverside Nairobi alongside Quincy, Rose and Abdullah oh my goodness a huge battalion watching the program anyway the second leg of HSBC in Cape Town what has been your standout moment? I was asking did we really defeat Samoa but I think Samoa are beatable they are beatable but remember and so are fijians exactly but remember our performance in the first leg that's why I was wondering during Dubai 7 yes yes so I was surprised and if we're really going to go up against Island this evening maybe that might be my and Island I think maybe it was still yesterday yes and it was tipped as a game of underdogs and surprising outcomes anyway I spoke to Udoorgangra the president of Kenya rugby union just before this leg and he said that you know now the problem of unpaid allowances is something of the past you think that has also motivated the boys to perform better yeah I believe so if he means this word then definitely monetary support is very key yes to just in such disciplines but also maybe to support what my friend has said here I think the boys they learned a lot from what happened in Dubai and maybe they got a kick on the behind to improve their performance and what I've also noticed I think after watching the game against Samoa there's key technical areas or bits that they've improved on the ball handling and defense so I think we learn as we go if we are able to beat Island then I can assure you in this main cup there will be a force to recognize we'll probably go all the way if it's too bad maybe the same as yes then not on all time tri-square of course closely followed by Colin Sinjera those separated with a good number of tries but with by the fact that now the edge is catching up with Averion do you think you will try to get closer and reduce that gap yeah I think we still got it in him sometimes unless your legs refuse to move but you still got it in him the experience he's got a good team around him good support I think he can still improve and extend his numbers up there the technical bench of Kenyapol Fini being assisted by Kevin Wamboa is present on the bench you know he's also been in charge of local side Mamba RFC Vamnotrum and also the Kenya Lionesses do you think he adds that much needed spice exactly it is because of his understanding of the local players I think he really adds a lot to that technical bench because if he knows these players and you know being a technical bench is not about making decisions on your own people around around Fini who know the players the local players who follow these players out there they will be able to add a big chunk of advice to what Fini although he's the most experienced on that bench I mean he's got a lot of experience so for them understanding the local game really adds a lot to Fini's thinking and maybe team selection I think also Wamboa is well known to these players some of these players when he was at Mamba and he's coaching he knows a lot about the even the politics of the game and the mood of the game the mood of the players and how probably he's been put there to try and talk the language of the players because he understands and some of them he played alongside them yes yes yes so Wamboa is well known locally so he's adding a lot of value to that extent yes it's being played in South Africa and you know when we mentioning matters international rugby South Africa is such a powerhouse do you think they will it will remain the title will remain at home yeah after all they did in the world cup world cup but you know you remember the dynamics of 15s and 10s but people always say that you know 15s is real is cosmetics yeah yeah but you remember there's a term when in the 7s rugby South Africa was ranked first at some point so the lack of Cecil Africa played there well with the clad so this guy is he was in Kenya doing yes yes yes so I can assure you South Africa is still as a host and as a team with experience it will still be among the teams to go all the way to the main cup finals and maybe win it and for my money I'd put them maybe in the finals at the worst losing and if it opened it's behind the old blacks of New Zealand no no not really not really South Africa playing at home and as you've said the heroics they need show at the world cup I think it might give them a little bit more motivation hitting England yes and having that we call it 7s but now having that 8th player in the home fans then I think as he is saying when they might be able to go all the way at least losing the final the general organization of HSBC World 7 series you know the crowds in the stands man the hype around it the publicity the marketing aspect of the game is Kenya ready to host one of the legs one day in the future maybe not so soon we are in Africa maybe or in the margin countries we are among the top countries but of course the organizers will look at your facilities there's always been this talk of putting up a rugby facility in Alangongro it's never really materialized but if we heard that and maybe they heard in Alangongro expanded then or maybe host one in Kasarani you know this they look at a lot of dynamics the organizers they look at the logistics transport and everything for their crew for the media for everyone I think it's it's going to take quite a bit maybe Kasarani yeah maybe Kasarani but we have to work on other things logistic security they look at a lot of things because you're not only bringing the teams you're bringing the media and the crowd and someone used to tell me that you know a stadium is not about playing surface the other entities around the stadium changing rooms you know entertainment zones security also is very key very paramount actually and considering that Kenyans are so passionate and enthusiastic about a refue grounds in that when a rugby game is not getting hosted there they wouldn't show up in large numbers I think it's because of it is central location but and the tradition I think the tradition of rugby but still if we can have those facilities put in place and this is a challenge to Mr. Duogangla because if he comes up at least with a plan and then maybe and try to push it forward and maybe we improve these facilities the rugby facilities then in the future maybe we might be hosting one of the this biggest tournament the seventh tournament because if we don't have the facilities logistics wise we are poor then no one is will be willing to to come over to Kenya to watch rugby so we have to work on some of these items logistics wise and facilities I think but is it the role of federation honchos to ensure that facilities are in place is it the function of the government it's yeah it's it but you have to push it yeah they need to work work together with the ministry and the federation and I think because like last time Chan was not hosted in Kenya we couldn't blame Nik Muendov for the failure by Kenya to host the tournament main for local best players Kenya's failure yes of sports yeah I think facilitation is first and foremost government's role because they own the the resources through the ministry of sports what needs to happen here I don't know why people usually compare golf where we own the magical Kenya or the rally which is coming back and it's because some of these federation really know how to push exactly and they do publicity and market themselves that's why they get a lot of high end events coming through like right now in Vipingo there's a ladies tour golf tour going on it's because KGU really pushed that if in this case KRU can push for resources to come because in World Rugby they are ranked somewhere high up there and they push the ministry then why not the ministry can always kufu some money so they put the necessary resources and then visitors will come and they get money but there has been back and forth between the ministry of sports and the federations over funding and the debakos rounding the same is still on to an extent that Kenya when they were traveling to Dubai they were reports indicating that Kenya was almost failing to go participate because of lack of resources until government came to the risk of the team during the last minute how comes there has to be this pressure demands for government to deliver as as I was telling you earlier when we were off air it's all about are you able to show showcase what you've done with the resources are you accountable because if we have that culture of being accountable of whatever funds that we might be able to get then trust me no one will be hesitating to maybe come on board when you need funds because right now KRU is looking for sponsors and if you are not accountable then no one is willing to put his money on where people will just misuse it and maybe end up in people's pockets and this culture is something we just need to start from somewhere the small funds the less funds that these federations get try to use them in in a way that everyone is able to agree that they have been used properly and this culture if it starts from somewhere not even the government corporates will come in and will be able to see some of these things changing and getting more facilities which will enable our sports to grow yeah there's also if to add to what he's saying there's always the I think government likes to look at the development and if they like to poor money maybe on the development programs of an organization so that for the elites elite projects like let's say the main team like Shudja or Simba for instance if if if if Kairi can put it's house in order and organize proper corporate support then they can support it but for a big project like like hosting an event Kairi for example doesn't have the resources to put up to buy land and put up you know a stadium a stadium a stadium definitely they need to push the government but they need to push the government when the government sees that they are able to do things the right way like he said accountability is one of them but even in football circles we hear that FC Leipas and Gurma top clubs locally have acquired land actually they were given free land by the former president Daniel Mouhi but nothing tangible has come out of it I don't know whether those reports are true they are yet to be substanjated but I hear what's on the corridor yeah I think also so sometimes I think it's the proregative of the individual entities themselves to do something on their own true it's uh it's remember it's also a lot of pressure like for the clubs you just mentioned everybody's on your neck the funds and everybody's and because sometimes they contribute so they want to see their money now it's getting well spent accountability yes some of these processes are very difficult but it's like we have all agreed accountability is the key yeah accountability is the key anyway you are general thoughts with regards to why rugby local rugby as well I know Kenyakap is on and Kabras not doing badly of yeah remember I don't know if they're still on cloud nine after their first ever win against KCB and I know KCB the next time they'll meet you know uh uh Coach Kati's is is like a tiger is a you know Kati's uh or lago is he will make sure he'll correct that bit and Kabras will never beat him again but but Kabras is doing well I think this Kenyakap season they look to be a good contender alongside of course Kenyakamashil Bank let's see how the queens and the nonies will be doing this season what happened to Obbu is right before boot club they were dominant some time back two years ago but since Paul Murunga left the club to be in charge of the national team I think the standards have really dwindled I don't know and that's why the coaching aspect comes in if you lose some of the of your best people then you're going to go down that transition yes and concerning Kabras and KCB I remember during the last leg of of of Kenyakap yes last time I was I was in Mombasa in Mombasa so I think it was driftwood 7 yes exactly driftwood 7 so I was going to Mombasa and then we happened to be on the same bus with the Kabras players so I was asking them are you going to face KCB again because they had thrashed them in western yes so they said we'll give our best but now it seems that they they put their house in order and they they got their win but the queens might be planning something to to maybe give a fight back and I think I think that rivalry between KCB and Kabras I think it's much needed in local exactly it's much needed in local we remember boy back it was on is Kenya Harley Queens and Nondescript the Ngongrod best clubs and also Muamban in Pala you know it was basically now with the images of guys like homeboys KCB really coming up and Kabras down in the west I think it's it's much needed competition and even even the enterprise cup has tight competition as well and this is what we need for club rugby basically but now I keep asking myself some question I remember attending some game it was you know raining heavily and the fans had turned up in large numbers but you know we just coming to spectate the game enjoy the beautiful action but ultimately the prize money for the winner that money is so little ma'am yeah I know and this is something some of these organizers must work on remember also maybe sorry even by the way is there cash prize in the first place for Kenya cup champions no I think it's only a trophy it's only a trophy yeah yeah so but when you look at the money you put in in terms of basically uh for example if it's sevens yes the main sponsor will sponsor the legs of course but uh I think I really need to put strong monetary uh I think they need to get the spoil in the first place for Kenya cup yes for Kenya cup itself of because all the clubs have their own shots yes yes and then now the the the sponsor of Kenya cup will obviously put monetary support to to the club winner and maybe the most fallible players yes MVP and stuff like that so this is very important in terms of motivating and driving this young place and and I think I think Fredopenda would agree with me that rugby has got most loyal fans in Kenya exactly because despite the harsh weather conditions they will show up in draw up to watch the game yeah yeah you saw during the safari sevens the conditions were it was so cold but we still made it to to to the to the ground so uh once we we we have seen that our rugby fans are are very very loyal and they are willing to come to the stadiums why not try to improve as as my friend is saying because we need to find more sponsors and maybe have those monetary prizes and it gives more motivation to to the players and these will bring that rivalry this rivalry in turn brings the the fans to the stadiums to watch to enjoy the beautiful game I know we are three of us here I support western boons is I'm sure he supports Kisuma RFC he support Kisi RFC but I think the teams we are talking about and the teams we allegedly supporting are on the downfall western boons are back in top flight but they look like they will be relegated again Kisi RFC is playing in the championship in the division one yes what's the problem of this first of all this you realize most of the clubs in the championship are outside Nairobi most of the clubs that in the Kenya Kapa in Nairobi and that tells you first of all rugby is grown grown and developed in Nairobi this is where the resources and maybe the money down there you'd be surprised some team like Kisuma RFC maybe they have to go and talk to Governor Nyongo give us money for shared sponsorship and maybe talk to Silvastan just for the jazi they actually literally struggle for for for it's like overall in Kenya it's not rugby is not a professional sport people play it mostly for fun and for as a hobby so out there like clubs in Meru let's say in Kisumu in Nanuki in Mombasa most of them really struggle there's not really monetary support but the only person club outside Nairobi that really I think is making good moves is the club in Nakuru Manengai Ohina Manengai Yes Yes the owners the management the wine is a poor good money there but the rest of the clubs they're struggling for initially but what are you doing in your personal capacity to bring back Kisuma RFC sometimes on a personal on a personal ground it might be difficult yes I know yeah so it's it's all about now we have the developed units of government from these units of government we need now people who can try to come in and give advice and try to give that support and maybe tell these guys that you know what rugby is a good game and we can maybe put development development units in our counties and and and see whether we can maybe nurture that talent the rugby talent and and from this you give employment actually so it's it's it's all about people now coming together and putting their heads together and try to give advice to the developed units as well fair enough quality conversation with Ebarisila Robasports journalist and Fredo Penda our residential guest analyst talking about the state of rugby with focus of to kept on seven the second leg for HSBC world seven series Kenya doing pretty well of course looking forward to qualification to the main cup quotas after horrendous show during the first leg in Dubai where they finished 13th just managing to collect four points remember they beat some more yesterday 29 14 then today of course they beat Australia 12-7 looking forward to play that third group clash against Ireland which kicks off at 547 p.m. East African time we're going to be keeping an eye on that and see how it pans out remember Kenya is also in action playing Zanzibar this particular afternoon Saikafa senior challenge cup happening in Tanzania looking forward to humiliate on what the starlet did to win the championship overly of course Francis Kimansi out on the touch line after that band from Saikafa lot is happening remember English primarily in action as well tomorrow big clash Super Sunday Everton against Man United then later on Arsenal will be playing against Manchester City about we take a short break then we will be back with the fan favorite segment the fans on don't go away stay tuned to the touch line