Muthee: We can afford to turn fully pro

Kenya’s sevens rugby team returned home this week after the conclusion of the IRB Sevens Circuit. The boys finished ninth in the world, a decidedly disappointing performance by their recent superior standards. KRU chairman MWANGI MUTHEE, who sees better things ahead with an envisaged full professional set up, spoke to CHARLES NYENDE. Excerpts:

Turning the national Sevens rugby team into a professional outfit is not a difficult proposition.

In fact, the team practically went professional after I made consultations with the players’ representative, skipper Humphrey Kayange early in May.

We shall be paying salaries, and we can afford it.

The modalities will be worked out.

Money already guaranteed through sponsorship is enough for basic contracts. It will only be a question of performance-based adjustments.

Paid in categories

Muthee said players’ salaries would be paid in categories.

The Sevens team is a small outfit. At the initial squad preparation stage, we usually have a group of about 30 players and those in this category could earn, say, at least Sh10,000 monthly.

The core team that engages in the International Rugby Board Sevens Circuit is made up of only 12 players, who should be on a higher salary.

During competitions, we have told them we shall guarantee bonuses for success, stage-by-stage.

By the time the team makes the semi-final of an IRB event, players will be guaranteed, say $1,000 (Sh85,000) bonus, each.
The figure, naturally, goes higher for reaching the final and ultimately a jackpot for winning.

Kenya Sevens is the only amateur outfit among the core teams in the IRB circuit. Ours is a team of young men who have careers elsewhere.

They lose a lot of time, away from work, to participate in rugby.

All leading sevens rugby nations in the world have gone professional and there is no reason to delay in doing the same.

Our team’s visibility in live television broadcasts throughout the world is of one of the highest calibre. The branding of the Kenyan name and colours throughout the world by the team is unequalled.

New approach

The Government runs a parastatal – Brand Kenya - engaged in a new approach to market our country and portray a positive image abroad.