KRU makes dramatic U-turn

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has made a dramatic U-turn regarding Kenya Sevens technical bench.

Just 24 hours after ordering deputy coach, Vuyo Zangqua and strength and conditioning coach, Graham Bentz, to “pack and leave the country”, the union has withdrawn the order.

KRU chief executive, Ronald Bukusi, said on Tuesday the coaches would be recalled after team’s high performance programme is back in progress.

The two tacticians from South Africa declined to leave saying they had a contract with Kenya Sevens that ends in September 2016 right after the Rio Olympic Games.

The coaches said their high performance programme with the team could not kick off since the team had no means after having gone for three months without salaries.

The union also appeared to strike a conciliatory note when the KRU director for national squads and elite performance, Oscar Mango, said he will meet the team’s management Thursday afternoon before having a session with the players on Friday.

Mango said all the issues will be discussed with the coaches and the players. The fate of head coach Felix Ochieng also remains unclear.

“I have called for a meeting with the team’s technical bench so they can table their grievances. I will have a similar session with the players,” said Mango, who didn’t want to dwell on the move to have the South African coaches leave the country.

“We still have contracts with the players that expire on July 30 hence no player has been sent home,” said Mango.

Mango explained that Kenya Airways, the team sponsor, had released some funds and the salaries were to be paid either yesterday or before the end of business Thursday.

“We have kept the part of our bargain,” said Mango, who took issue with Kenya Sevens management and players for jumping the gun by addressing a press conference on Friday last week. “I had spoken to them two days before they held a press conference,” he added.

Mango said a board meeting will be convened on July 29 from where a clear direction on Kenya Sevens management will be issued.

A member in Kenya Sevens management, who sought anonymity, welcomed the move to meet them saying it was long overdue. “Why should they let everything get out of hand for them to meet us?” he posed. “We were called by the union finance officer to provide our details but we are yet to receive anything. We are still waiting,” said the member.

The Kenya Sevens management and players are owed close to Sh32m.