School keeps Kimono waiting

What you need to know:

Besides the players, forwards coach Fred Mudoola, backs tutor Herbert Wafula and manager Brian Tabaruka are set to travel today.

The quest to achieve good education and also do well on the rugby pitch prevented Justin Kimono and Paul Kabazzi from travelling to Nairobi on Wednesday.

As the Rugby Cranes made the road trip for the return leg of the Elgon Cup against Kenya in Nairobi tomorrow, the pair were busy elsewhere.

“I had a test yesterday (Wednesday) morning and another today (Thursday) then on Sunday,” Kimono, a student of Industrial Psychology at Makerere University, said.

Just like the wing, Kabazzi, a centre, also stayed behind to attend to a busy academic schedule as he is pursuing a degree in medicine. The pair was due to fly to Nairobi last evening to protect Uganda’s 19-5 first leg victory in the annual two-team contest.

“Besides Justin, (Anthony) Kinene must also return immediately after the game on Saturday to attend a test on Sunday,” Brian Tabaruka, the team manager, himself an architect, said.

Juggling careers
Kimono, scorer of a try at Kyadondo, added; “you have to consider education first.” Wing Jude Kermundo and scrumhalf-cum-winger Brian Kikawa travelled as cover for Kimono and Kinene respectively.

Kermundo’s selection could also be at the expense of Denis Etuket in a re-jigged backline. These are not isolated incidents in rugby circles.

Back in September 2007, stand-in skipper Timothy Mudoola missed his graduation to lead Uganda to the Africa Cup in Madagascar. Most of the players in Nairobi have had to go through the same at various stages. Prop Brian Odong and his elder brother Steven Ogwete are both engineers.

Lock Romano Ogwal and halfback Ambrose Kamayiire only graduated from university last year. Inside centre Oscar Kalyango is still a student whereas captain Mathias Ochwo is a self-employed businessman. It’s a cross section of professionals.

WOEFUL FORM IN NAIROBI
2011:
Kenya 27-10 Uganda (July 9)
2010:
Kenya 21-5 Uganda (July 10)
2009:
Kenya 30-22 Uganda (August 15)
2008:
Kenya 39-20 Uganda (August 16)
2007:
Kenya 35-15 Uganda (August 11)
2006:
Kenya 17-22 Uganda (May 13)
2004:
Kenya 18-8 Uganda (July 31)