Uganda Cup Walk overs upset Warriors, Rhinos
Warriors` Gabriel Aredo (R)and company traveled 300kms to Gulu in the middle of Friday night for nothing
KAMPALA- Francis Odonga, a Rimula Rhinos player balances time for the game and his education at Cavendish University. Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings get him at Legends RFC for the club`s sessions in prep for the next game.
Last week was no different although it ended on a sad note for him as Rhino`s first round Uganda Cup tie with Uganda Christian University (UCU) Shepherds could not materialise due to dissimilarity between the university administration and the rugby side.
“You train for three days and on top of that travel to Mukono only to be told it’s a walk over. It’s frustrating and it should not be happening,” he told Daily Monitor.
As Rhinos were still hurting, Warriors had even a bigger setback to deal with. They had just travelled over 300kms in the middle of Friday night for nothing. Their cup tie against Gulu Elephants was another walkover as the pitch was far from ready.
“We deemed the Pitch not suitable for a rugby game as it had been neglected there was knee high grass and no markings 1 hour to the game,” Coach/ Player Gabriel revealed to this paper.
“Angered by the poor organization of the Gulu Elephants management. We don't hustle in training for walk overs,” Warriors back Ruben Kihumuro expressed his disappointment on social media .
For a club like Warriors whose funds are farfetched, the financial implications of such a fruitless journey can be hard to deal with.
It costs Warriors approximately Shs1.5 million for the trip with Food and accommodation included, without forgetting that URU are yet to unveil a tournament sponsor. Warriors also have no official sponsor, meaning they have to generate their own funds in this harsh economy.
Both Gulu and UCU shepherds have been eliminated from the tournament after missing their respective fixtures.
Gulu Elephants were expelled from the league for forfeiting three games last season and are yet to learn from the punishment. Is the URU doing enough to help them run or is the club in wrong hands?
