Besieged Treu throws in the towel
Kenya Rugby Sevens team head coach Paul Treu has resigned. The South African trainer – while announcing his decision to Nairobi News on phone from his native homeland – said the move was informed by the frosty relations between him and some select members of the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
“I am humbled to have worked in Kenya and with an amazing and talented crop of players. But we have all been pulling in different directions in the past few months. I cannot just work in this kind of environment,” Treu said.
The former South Africa Sevens coach’s abrupt but expected departure comes in the wake of a disappointing start to the current season by the team, and especially at the Gold Coast Sevens and Dubai legs of the HSBC Sevens competition where the team won only one of a combined six matches in the Main Cup competition.
The tactician’s departure also comes at a time when senior players in the team are at loggerheads with the Union regarding their terms of engagement.
REMARKABLE VISION
KRU Chairman Mwangi Muthee has in the meantime opted for a diplomatic approach in responding to Treu’s departure.
“I must thank Paul for the professional manner in which he has conveyed his decision to me. Personally I admire his bravery of venturing into unfamiliar waters; leaving the comforts of an advanced rugby nation such as South Africa. A lot of Kenyans respect and will salute him for that,” Muthee said.
“We saw a man determined to succeed, his vision, character and discipline was remarkable and he should rest assured that there are many who learnt from him. Paul will leave a mark and a foundation on which the country’s Sevens development program can build on,” Muthee added.
This weekend’s HSBC Sevens leg in South Africa will be Treu’s last assignment with the Kenyan team.