Baby Cranes tier 1A promotion breathes life into Uganda rugby
Flank David Agassi forces his way through the Madagascar defence during the final of Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) tier 1B at the weekend . PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
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But the Baby Cranes’ promotion to tier 1A has come at the right time when the rugby fraternity needed something to lift their spirits and hopes.
KAMPALA- The last two years have seen Ugandan rugby suffer setback after setback.
The senior national side’s quick fall through the ranks from Tier 1A to 1C in just a period of one year was the biggest stumble of them off, let alone being humiliated 34-0 by Kenya “A” select side during the Elgon Cup return leg in Nairobi in July. For a moment, Uganda rugby was in abyss and it looked like getting out was never going to be an easy feat.
But the Baby Cranes’ promotion to tier 1A has come at the right time when the rugby fraternity needed something to lift their spirits and hopes. The future looks bright with promising talents in the likes of Ivan Magomu, Al Hajji Manano, Eddie Kayima and Adrian Kasito all coming through.
If the Uganda side that took on Madagascar in the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) tier 1B final on Saturday stuck together for the next three years, they would forge a strong Cranes side that could actually go places.
Coach Christine Kizito believes that building on Robert Seguya`s side would solve the depth problem that has seen the National side suffer deteriorate.
“These boys need to be kept together because they are our future. Some of them are already good and can fit into the national side but it’s not good to rush them onto the big stage, they need to go through the right transition,” stressed Kizito.
Kizito has coached atleast 70 per cent of the U-19 side which gives her depth and knowledge of dealing with that age bracket. She is also responsible for the development of established players like Michael Wokorach, Jasper Ocen, Phillip Wokorach, Alfred Bijik and Solomon Okia .
