 Welkom back, this is the touch line and a lot to talk about especially when it comes to Matas Rugby and I'm pleased to have Kikechi Kombo who is also the Comra's coach for my board member Kenya Rugby Union and also teacher's trainer at Togoto Teacher's Training School so a lot to talk about Mualimu, welcome. Thank you again. What a better way to begin than to talk about the Kenya Cup, the culmination of the 15th domestic league. Yeah, 2023-2024, season came to an end last weekend at Takamega Burri, that's in the forest, some say they call it the forest. And Cabras did well, I think they retained for the third time, it was a big match and Carlos said I think Carlos Katwa, the South African born is prepared his team so well with the assistant of the likes of a child and they managed to unlock KCB at winning 29 at Burri. So I think it was a good match and it's a good match and the way they prepared themselves for that particular game and also the weather probably affected the Nairobians but I think they played well and they won for the third time. It was convincing for KCB how did they match up because it's all about for them rebuilding after past dominant years in the league. Oh yeah, you see now what has happened when you look at the Cabras team they have been the final three years and quite a number of those players have the experience of playing at the finals and also coming in of Carlos and bringing the new skills in the team and also playing at home and also playing and beaten throughout the league. I think that's also a good thing for Cabras team and the way they had to also bring in Burri, Burri was the one who was playing sclammup and now he's playing ten. I think that was good and also having the guys like Kevin Wickers and the Kenya 7 guy bring in my tanga, a lot of experience in the team. But I think being in the final three years consecutive I think this guy had a lot of experience and it was also easy for them to execute that particular game in the final and be able to unlock Olango's team. You see Katisa also had experience of playing at the finals. You saw the last time at Nandhils how he was training and he came back and won that particular game. So this time round I think Cabras, the guys they matured and they had that experience of playing at the finals and they were able to win that game. And despite the fact that they did it with a number of key players on the injury list. But the most important thing is how they have conditioned their players and how they are prepared for that particular game. The mental structure of the game and the mental structure normally is key when it comes to the game. And when you look at Nick Robertson now the Razor with the national team coach of New Zealand. I think he was once a mental coach for the New Zealand and you see how the New Zealand were playing. So once you have such a people and you prepare your players, they just mental structure for the finals. I think they will be able to execute and once they are in the same level and that actually has been working well for the Cabras team. Yes and also maybe going fully professional has really helped the club. Yes, with a lot of the millers being the main sponsor of the club. You see now it also minimized because they were able to get the right facilities for the training. Probably the immigration also for the players is on time and they just focus on the game. And also having a very skillful coach. I think that also works well for Cabras. Yes indeed, that's how it did end. And next season domestic wise what are we now looking for too? So it is simply how the teams will prepare themselves. We have the off season now from the super series. Now teams will go in for the 7th and we have the off season. How teams will be able to prepare and how they will be able to get some new players to boost their squad. I think that will work on how they will be able to condition having set up on the high performance centers. You see now that will be able to prepare the team. So if we have a team that will be able to boost the club. In the previous we have the Impala who had won also three times consecutive. We have the Nondis, we have the Aleppins KCB also. So this time round if this particular team they can also go back and the drink boat and see where they go wrong and how they can be able to boost their squad. It will be able to work well. But so far when you look at Cabras and KCB they still have a dominant team. We also have the Oilers from Nakuru. They also been doing well. And remember their coach also just got a level 3 coach in South Africa. These are some of the things I initiated when I was the development director. Where I said we cannot be having clubs in Kenya, Kenya Cup with a level 1 coach and level 2 coach. I said no these guys must have a level 3 coach. It's working you see some of these guys you know initially we only had one level 3 coach in the country. Because the other level 3 coaches were the guys you know data is there but these guys are not in the country. So we wondered what was happening at the union by then. So now we said no we want to have a list of these particular guys who are handling the clubs. And they should be go to South Africa and train at the level 3. And that's why now we have the way we have another Mr Olango is also a level 3 also. I also suggest the likes of Pao also to take over to level 2. Because an experience should be able to entrol for a level 3 coach. All these clubs if they entrol by the level 3 coach that means players are getting the right skills and they'll be able to do well. So the other clubs will also be able to come up and that's what I'm saying about oilers also. Definitely next season it might be able to do well. To bounce back. Yes and Shujya and Lionesses assignments of course all eyes on whether they'll be able to get back to the elite circuit. That's the world 7 circuit and that journey is ongoing in the Challenger series. Montevideo wasn't such a good outing for the ladies especially. Yes for the Lionesses I think they did a good point. I think that was a point but they can redeem themselves again in Poland. So if they can be able to redeem themselves I think that works well. Because when you look at the standing now we have China that has got 34. Then we have the Belgium that has got 28 points. Honei Bazi, Uganda they are ahead of us with 28 points. Then the Lionesses have 24 points. But we also have Poland and Ireland with 22 and 18. So if they can be able to secure probably 16 points then they'll be in the right position actually to be part top 4 team to Krossofa to Madrid. And be able to meet again the spring boxes when you look at the last four also. In the HIV series that are going to meet them. We also have the Brazil that has got 31 points. Then we have Poshon 9, Poshon 10 we have Japan. Then we have South Africa actually that Kenya lost to when they qualified for this particular series. Then we have Spain the last log. When you look at Brazil actually they are playing well. Great Britain I think they have escaped. So Brazil might be in the last four. So Paul Murunga and Muangia should also be looking at the last four teams as they prepare to execute and qualify for Madrid because it will be very close. You see now the Singapore 7 is on 3rd and 4th but now the other one is coming on 18 and 19. And then they cross over to Madrid it will be very close. But now the other teams could have gone out for the race and prepared for this particular promotion relegation tournament in Madrid. Yes. And what kind of mental strength should the lioness be in because they just point away. They are close to the door. How should they approach it? First thing these ladies should be able to know that when you look at the union I think it has issues especially with the sponsorship and all that. And even we've seen it chairman mentioning it on the media. So what they are supposed to know is that if they qualify for this they need to prepare and forget about all the other issues and focus on what Paul Murunga and Muangia is executing. So once they prepare themselves I think their life will change. If they can be able to work out that in Poland and qualify for Madrid and make it a GSP series their life will change. I think some of these issues they will be able to forget. And I wish them well so that once they qualify I think it will be very okay for lioness because quite a number of them their life will completely change. Even the smokers now will be able to come in and be fighting for them. And the men's team as well also just on the edge but they just need to move to finish among the top four. And they are closely within the ranks. Well they are second the log because Uruguay has got 36 points also Kenya has 36 points. Chile has got 32 Uruguay, Germany has got 26. It's unfortunate that some of those who have been playing in the series we have the Japan and Tonga. You see now they are missing out and think it's a point because Japan has always been the 7 series. But now what these guys are supposed to do is just to get enough points in Munich and then now they execute and move on to Madrid. But they should also be able to look at what's happening in Madrid because we have great pre-train. I think USA is kind of escaping the legation play of match but still they are not out of the hook. But when you look at great pre-train we have the Spain. Great pre-train was at the final in LA 7. Spain also at the semi-finals in the LA 7. Then we have Samoa. Samoa is a hot nut to crack. Then we have also Canada. We lost to Canada. We go to the league because we were in the final in Canada. We could have won that match, we could have been the HSB series. So as much as the coach is looking to qualify for Madrid, they should also be looking at the last four teams that are going to come in Madrid. Because if you are in the same pool with either USA, if it comes down or Great Britain, if you are in the same pool with Samoa, Samoa plays up to the last second. They don't play the last second. That's how Samoa plays. So if we are able to be with the two teams probably in the same pool, how do we come out of it? It's going to be very challenging. We look at our guys. Two guys or three guys have got the experience of the HSB series. But the other guys, they are playing well. But I think we also looked at what are some of these players who are playing out, who are training with Blitbox in South Africa in the camp. Some of these former players, like the likes of Olindi, how are they playing? I don't know. But if someone is monitoring their game, I think I'll bring in some experienced players who go and encounter these people. Because when you look at USA, when you look at Samoa, when you look at Spain, Spain in the finals, Great Britain in the finals, the last seven, they are playing well. USA also coming down, look at Canada, how do we be able to execute this team? So it's something that needs to work out and prepare the boys in the light mental structure as they cross over to Madrid and now make it back to the HSB series. And Blin has really picked up well. He began with a plomb, clinching the Olympic ticket. What has been his strong maybe departments in this particular team? Has he been able to assemble a team that can really get the results when he wants to? Yeah, I think once the coaches did their work with the selection of during the seven series. The circuit series. I think now he went to the camp and build up these players and together with the few guys who remained within the 7th team. And from that, you saw how they played during the Safari 7. Also how they played in Dubai and won the Dubai series. And also they did play well. But what was happening is that this guy was trying to bring in some new players so that I think when he goes to Munich, I think now he'll be able to have a full squad. That will be able to win that particular, make it to the qualifying in Madrid. So he has done well because when you look at the winning in Dubai and also winning the Safari 7 and also making the team, assisting the team to qualify for the Olympics and get the mighty spring box. Blin box, I think that was good for Blin. I think he has been there with the team and been assistant. And now this time he was given the chance to carry on with the 7th team. Yes indeed. That's the two assignments that remain for Shuja. Only one. One more chance to qualify to make it to the playoffs now. Let's wait and see if Shuja and Laonessas will indeed go all the way. School games ongoing and interesting that the women. We talked about with Tyra here about the women's championship. The women's tournament or women's games. So that's the 50th which were debuting this time round. Yes and just from mentality. Yes, it won the tournament. I think that was good. So some of the things we had suggested when I was the director of development and I said we need to feed a team for this particular Laoness team. We have a very successful program with the K triple. They say for the schools for the boys. But how come we don't have the girls? But see now the issue of the budgeting. It's all we need to stamp it. Because KRU took over before this game started. It's the KRU and the likes of the professor Muniafua, his group. Now there are the guys who sacrificed and went on to schools and doing the rafing and managing the game. And the KRU stepped in to make to sponsor the tournament. You see now the secondary school picked it up. But now we also need now to have also the girls. We need to ensure this particular program. Because when we ensure the program we have good minded principles in the schools and next year we will be able to see principles that are going to prepare their teams to play. Because they have seen Kisumu. Which team is going to compete Kisumu girls? Which team is going to complete St. Joseph's? Western will not be left behind let me tell you next year. Because they believe butere girls and the likes of Missy Ho. They will be able to come in and when you see Bungwebuye around the Ubuye they are playing out of rugby because Kamege they are playing out of rugby. So these ideas will move in. We have the referee in Kaimoz girls. You see now next year you might see Kaimoz girls coming up to compete. And it's going to be very competitive. And that's now colleges will be able to get these players and when they go to universities now. Because universities have been getting well prepared players from high school. Fitting the university team. And that's why you see the university team have been doing well. Because they are getting well prepared teams through their pathway program. So come next year it will be very good for the initiative. We had started this program but even now the COVID stopped it. But I was happy to see that now it was there in Machako. And you could see representation of the teams across the country. So next year it will be bigger. It will be bigger indeed. And the boys final. Fred was just telling us about the results in Machako. Minutes ago. But we were relinquishing their title too. I'll say newcomer. Newcomer we have all saints. All saints. Ben was... We met him when I was coaching in Murumishiri and even went to West Africa to win. All saints coaches. Ben is a very skillful coach and he was with Kangaro. Kangaro was doing well. So he crossed over and now Kangaro is went down. That's why the problem with the schools. When we have a technical guy living so the school just goes down immediately. But the ground was I think was also not good for the boys. And there are so many knock-ons. This is how these coaches are supposed to do. Put on the word on what surfaces should be played. And also how can they play in such conditions. Because now I assume Kenyan schools are playing against the international. How could we be able to play in such conditions. So what happened with the spring box in the semifinals against England. So they came in and they were losing that much because of the weather condition. But because of the experience of the coach and the guys who are playing in Europe. I think they secured the team. But the condition actually matters. So when you define now they went and they were training during that condition. Because now they had to adapt. Because now they say they had changed. And now they need to adapt on how to play in that particular condition. So coaches now should also be able to adopt in such a condition. Because when you look at what's happening in Machako. It was raining, the ground was a bit soggy. So they could not handle the ball. When you look at the knock-on statistics. It tells you on how terrible it was. When you're having around 30 knock-ons. That's not a good final when you're having 30. These are teams that have won the finals. But when you have around 30 knock-ons. That tells you we have a problem with ball handling. And the coaches need to go and do a lot in terms of development of the game. Coaching, handling of the game, exception of the game. They need to go and look at it. Because those are the basics. Because now these are the players who will be selected for the national team. And are we ready now for them to play for the national team. If they knock the ball. Because as a national team we need to have a finished product. Proper player. So they need to go and look at it. Also the surfaces. I think it's we able to look for alternative. When they are hosting these particular matches. This ground is unplayable. And to take to the other ground. And maybe quickly we can talk about the franchise. The announcement or the revelation of the names. The cheetahs, buffaloes. This particular week. The return. We can talk briefly about the return of the franchise. And how well it is for the 15th rugby. I think that's the best thing that Kenya rugby have done. When you have the franchise. Because when you look at this particular team. Just playing club rugby in and out is not helpful. Once this particular players play in the franchise teams. I think they be able now to gain more skills. And also playing against the new players. And it develops in the other players. So that works out well. And we've seen this particular team. Look at the sport rugby in New Zealand. In Australia. When you look at South Africa. The franchise. We have the bulls. How they play. We have a region that has got more than 400 teams. And other teams are feeding their players into one major team. So it works out well. And it's good for Kenya rugby union. Because the players will be able to get new experience. And you will get good team format. And it works out well. Though when you look at this particular team. Same players from this particular region. Cabras will dominate. KCB teams. KCB group will also dominate. But we also have the Gongrot team. The likes of Inbala Nondis. I think they also give them a good run. For that particular tournament. Yes. And of course the names of coaches who will hand over the teams. And out the buffalos will be hand over by Max Willa-Dakam. While the cheetahs will be under Lawrence Buyachi. While Lions will have Oliver Manganius. The head coach and Ryan also will be having Paul Murunga. Malimu. I know we had so much to talk about. But due to time constraints here. We'll have to maybe push some of the bits. Which we could have talked about. What was going on in the international stage. But let's leave that for the next time. But let's maybe just briefly. One minute or a few seconds. On the disgruntled voices of the KRU. How is this holding down the operations of KRU? And where does the disgruntled, why the disgruntled voices? I saw it during the HGM. I think some of the affidets. Affidets was a big say when you go to KRU constitution. And when I was there. Even at that time I was acting vice chair of the Kenyaragu Union. Because of the issues of the constitution. And I think two members. Two members are not satisfied with how things are running. And that's why they sent for a motion of no confidence to the chairman. But I think we had to get actually what was discussed. And that's what is making also during the HGM. Quite a number of things. Strategic plan was not discussed. But when we saw the issue of the financial statements. It was not bad. People say now they want to get time to go and scrutinize it properly. Especially the Bates Cup and WJRT. The Junior World Cup that was here. So they want to look. I think there is some specific theory that these guys have noticed. And they want to go and scrutinize it properly. So that they get satisfied and the KRU moves on. So that's the issue. And it's not good actually for the game. It's normal. It's only seven that's being played now international. But the rest is a bit dormant. So they need to be awakened. So once it's done, I think now we move on. Because they need sponsor. I've seen tasks putting money in athletics, putting money in Malikia. We need that money also at the union. And rugby has never struggled to attract sponsors. They've had good will for a long time. But when it dries. You see now. The issue when you look at, they have negatives there. But we need to have this particular program can run. Players cannot be able like the ladies at the lionesses. You are talking about six months, seven months. So sponsors should. I think this should be sorted out. Then we have sponsors. Then programs runs up. World Cup is coming up for the women in 2025. This lady is supposed to be put in the right condition. The right structure. Training should be able to start. We need to have a problem in South Africa. For them to prepare for the World Cup. Some of these particular programs. These ladies join to be able to change their life. And issues of sponsorship will not be able to arise. They just attract sponsors. Yes. That's a word from Kikichi Kombo. Kombo has head coach and a former member of the Kenya Rugby Union Board. This is the touch line. Thank you so much Malimu for making your time. Hope to see you again next time. And all the best as well in your teaching at Togoto. Kikichi Kombo has keep producing future stars for Kenya Rugby. The pipeline is endless. And too long. So keep the pipeline flowing. Meanwhile standby for that particular interview. I'll be speaking to the role bowl guests. And we're talking about the season that has been. That's the Kenya role bowl season 2023-2024. And I have the champions in the house standby for that one. And of course later on the funds on keep it the touch line.