Rwenzori to Honour Rhinos Tie

Ayumba Ayodi

19 May 2011

Nairobi — Organisers of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series were thrown into spin on Thursday when Ugandan franchise Rwenzori threatened to boycott Saturday’s semi-final in Nairobi.

Rwenzori had vowed not to travel if they were to use Kampala Coach as their means of transport after they accused the transport company of inefficiency.

The organisers had put Lions on standby in case Rwenzori, who are due to face defending champions Rhinos, were to effect their threat.

An official in charge of the media, Charles Nsamba said upon soul searching and consultation, they have agreed to travel but no by Kampala Coach. The team is due in Nairobi this morning.

Logistical hiccups

When contacted, Kampala Coach Marketing Manager Craig Inda said the delays were occassioned by logistical hiccups, especially from the team.

“The challenge has been with Kampala Coach. They came and gave sponsorship and stipulated conditions, which we met. Key officials came from Nairobi to pledge their support and that was concrete enough,” said Nsamba.

Despite the assurance, Nsamba said Kampala Coach have not lived up to their promise to avail means of transport on time.

When Rwenzori traveled on April 28, which was a Thursday, the team ended up leaving Kampala almost mid-night after staying at the bus station for several hours since no arrangement had been made.

“It took several phone calls since the front office were not aware about the arrangement,” said Nsamba in a telephone interview.

After playing to a 0-49 defeat by Cheetah in Nairobi on April 30, Rwenzori were supposed to travel back to Kampala the following day on Sunday morning but once more no arrangements were made by Kampala Coach.

Other means of transport

” It took us long to secure a bus and ended up arriving late in Kampala, yet the team had students who were to sit for exams,” explained Nsamba.

Having had enough of Kampala Coach inefficiency, Rwenzori opted for others means when they travelled to honour their May 7 date with Mumias Sugar Buffaloes in Mumias.

“We raised the issue with Uganda Rugby Union, but they gave us promises that we doubt if they will meet since once beaten, twice shy,” said Nsamba. “We had decided not to travel at a meeting but rescinded the decision. We shall use other means to Nairobi,” said Nsamba.

Victoria, the other franchise from Uganda, experienced similar difficulties last season from the same transport company.

Inda said their relations had been strained as some members in the teams didn’t know when to travel and kept shifting travel dates.

“We also registered misconduct by some players on board and that strained our relationship since we had other customers on board,” Inda said.

“We have since sorted that out and we expect everything to go smoothly as planned.”

Rwenzori will meet Rhinos at 2pm followed by Cheetahs and Sharks’ duel at 4pm all at the RFUEA grounds.

AllAfrica – All the Time