Kenya should build on success of Safari Sevens to host IRB series

Everybody, well, at least those who pride themselves in loving Kenyan rugby, have commented on Safaricom Safari Sevens’ first staging at Nyayo National Stadium.

I will agree that if you put aside the sentimental loss of removing the tournament from its traditional home of RFUEA ground, the new venue made a lot of sense.

The facilities are certainly better. Nyayo has floodlights which allowed for night matches and a crystal-clear giant screen to play back the hot action on the pitch.

The venue is bigger, with organisers saying day three had an official attendance of just under 20,000, a record for the tournament.

Nyayo’s central location in Nairobi indeed encouraged attendance and everyone in town (sorry about the traffic jams) knew something big was happening in the city.

More can be done to improve conditions at Nyayo, but I will take you on a different tangent. If you were there, then you were part of a privileged audience.

This year’s tournament had some of the best sevens players in the world. First up, I will mention Mikaele Pesamino.

The Samoan flier was of course the 2010 IRB sevens player of the year. The 27-year-old Pesamino is also the fourth highest try-scorer in the history of the IRB sevens world series with 158.

Local stars on parade

There was our very own Collins Injera. The Kenyan speedster came with the distinction of being the 2009 IRB sevens top try-scorer.

What many may not know is that the Day Star University communications student sits at position seven in the IRB sevens all-time top try-scorers’ list with 124.

Then to my mind, Humphrey Kayange, arguably Kenya’s best sevens player, was in competition.

He is the 10th highest try-scorer in IRB history and was probably singing his swan song after a glittering career in the abridged version of the game.

And what a way to do it with his home club Mwamba and Bristol University where he is headed for further studies.

A powerful Samurai side packed with Fijian imports, including sevens internationals David Batiratu and Pio Tuwai was on show.

It was no surprise they made it to the main cup final before losing to Samoa.

Emerging Springboks, virtually a Springboks-in-waiting, featured several Currie Cup players and looked on course for another Safari Sevens title before running into Samoa.

Spain, Zimbabwe, Aukland Vikings (New Zealand) and Grenoble (France) all added to a quality field. I will not mention Tanzania and Rwanda who were clearly way above their punching weight.

And the crowd was fantastic. It was privilege for the players to run out to such a carnival, enthusiastic and involving reception from Kenyan spectators.

Of all the eight previous legs of the World IRB Sevens series (they will be nine this season), after Hong Kong and Wellington, I would certainly rank the Kenyan stadium audience the best.

Small wonder an impressed Steve Lander, the IRB Sevens referee manager, mused at the possibility of a series coming to Nairobi.

Courting elite teams

Meanwhile, KRU development manager Fred Ollows talked about taking advantage of the November date to get all the top dogs of world sevens – New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, England et al – coming to bark right here in Kenya.

I bet you, they will receive such roaring reception at Nyayo they will not forget the Nairobi crowd for a long time.

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Two weeks ago, elections were held to unify Football Kenya Limited (FKL) and Kenya Football Federation (KFF).

But getting a new name is proving just as trying. First it was Football Kenya (FK), then Kenya Football Association (KFA) was put forward.

Now we hear of Football Kenya Federation (FKF). At this rate, let us just say Football Association of Kenya (FAK).