Mwamba RFC pulls out of Dala Sevens tournament
The executive of Mwamba Rugby Football Club announced on Friday that the club will not participate in this weekend’s Dala Sevens to be held in Kisumu.
The club is citing safety concerns as the main reason it will give the tournament, the last in the Sevens series, a wide berth.
Announcing the decision the club’s chairman George Mbaye said he had consulted extensively and that that was the best, though difficult, decision to make.
“On behalf of the technical team, our stand is that we have a responsibility over our players and their safety is of utmost importance to us. We stand by our decision of not going to Dala and stay back in Nairobi. We have decided to take the precaution in order not to be sorry later,” said Mbaye.
Kisumu governor Anyang Nyongo had, on Tuesday, issued a communique expressing support for the tournament and pledging to ensure security is provided.
PLAYER’S SAFETY
“The County Government and people of Kisumu warmly welcome the teams and fans to our County and the City of Kisumu. We assure you of the County Government’s commitment to maintaining a conducive environment, in terms of security and facilities necessary for the sporting event and other socio-economic activities of the visiting teams and fans,” Nyongo said.
In spite of this assurance, Mbaye said he wasn’t fully convinced that players would be safe.
“I am not convinced on the measures that the Kisumu County government have put in place and there is no 100 guarantee on anything,” he said.
The club’s president Alvas Onguru supported the chairman’s call saying player safety supersedes other considerations.
Dala Sevens has been hosted by Kisumu RFC for more than ten years now.
Three teams are in contention of snatching the overall cup after a competitive series that has seen only Kabras Sugar win two tournaments out the five already played.