Ayumba Ayodi
9 March 2011
Nairobi — Kenya Rugby Union and Kenya Harlequin are engaged in a dispute regarding the use of facilities at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa grounds, according to correspondence between KRU and the club that was seen by the Nation.
Consequently, Quins have barred the national teams from using the clubhouse facilities until KRU agrees to the charges.
Quins secretary James Juma Absolom said they will henceforth charge a weekly fee of Sh8,000, or Sh32,000 per month, for the use of the lighting systems, changing rooms and showers at their clubhouse.
KRU chairman Richard Omwela however said they would pay Quins Sh10,000 a month irrespective of the season, adding that the proposed charges were too high.
He said: “We all agree that the use of the showers and changing rooms by Kenya squads is something that we should not argue about.”
Tenants in homeground
Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup champions Quins have had the RFUEA as their homeground since 1953.
Interestingly, Quins are tenants of KRU, whom they pay rent, although the land belongs to RFUEA, whose lease was renewed some years back.
Absolom said the new charges are based on real costs and that KRU’s offer was inufficient. He said if the union will not agree to the charges then the teams will have to use the other facilities that are under KRU’s control and are available on the grounds.
“Quins’ facilities are now withdrawn and they teams should not expect to use the changing and shower facilities or the training lights,” Absolom said.
While accused KRU of having ignored a notice over the new proposals relayed to the union four months ago, Absolom lamented that the national teams have continued to use the facilities without adequate compensation to Quins, who met the costs in advance.
Sources intimated that Rugby Patrons Society of Kenya’s attempts at arbitratration in the matter have flopped after KRU failed to attend meetings called over the same. It is also said that the union’s offer to pay Quins Sh15,000 five years ago was ignored.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Continued here:
Kenya: Union, Quins Row Over Rfuea Grounds