Going by what we watched this weekend; we are left with a few fixtures of the U20 to seal off the international window for the Ugandan rugby domestic scene.
For the fourth consecutive year, Uganda veterans have remarkably been able to engage their cross-border counterparts in a one-sided contest so far. This year the tie was breached with a rare Uganda win at the coast but alas the parity was restored in Kampala.
I won’t write about that game, as a festival we deserve to enjoy it the old way. With fun, it is good to see the community of the elders expanding and widening. It is certainly a good step to keep everyone involved, mainly those with older brooms who know all corners.
I won’t miss that try from Injera where Mubiru delegated defensive duties and gave what we know is a swift man a wide berth. That was the only chink in what was a solid shoot to the death from the veterans.
My favourite player Allan Musoke didn’t touch the ball all game, the biggest what if, mainly when his eternal rival heaved his massive frame down for the five pointer. Taking away our breath yet another time.
All credits to the Veterans who seem to be doing the job. A concerted effort of marketing, being more involved with the younger crowd. Ability to keep some of the busiest and most responsibility laden men turning up for training. That is a plus, that can help the coaching pool increase and also the attraction of older members to the society.
I doubt it can improve administration and other facets of the game. The crucible of yester years talent can only get deeper. It would also help to have more media presence spread out as a contribution of the veterans to the new generation.
If the veterans can pull off and maintain a cross-border rivalry, then the Union has no excuse for failing to pull off the Elgon cup. That is another of the wonder of the administration that airlifts a team to South Africa but doesn’t respect culture of the Elgon cup.
