Kenya Shines in San Diego Sevens Rugby

An impressive entourage of Kenyan fans from all over the country was present at San Diego’s Petco park for the USA round of the international sevens circuit rugby tournament. This is the fourth stop in the tournament which visits upon 8 locations worldwide starting in Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, England and finishing up in Scotland. To say the least, our lads did not disappoint. The showing was strong, as they came out the gates with a 38-0 stomping over Chile and an impressive 19-7 win over Canada. Day 1 ended with a hard fought loss 19-12 loss to Argentina pitting them against a powerful England team for day 2. The Kenyan team, having to deal with numerous questions from the media of unrest in the country appeared focused on the task at hand, a good showing after a dismal result in New Zealand prior to arrival in San Diego was paramount as Kenyan captain Benjamin Ayimba put it.

Day 2 was quite a treat. In what is perhaps as bad a show of sportsmanship as there is, we are now learning that the English team refused to share a locker room with the Kenyan team forcing our lads to share one with the Fijian team. Unperturbed, the lads took the game to the Englishmen behind a vociferous fan contingent that urged on the Kenyan team to a 17-7 win. The Kenyans tackled well, which is critical more so in sevens rugby than in fifteen’s since it is largely man on man play. The tournament program referred to Kenyans as ‘Soft’ and ones tending to play ‘opportunistic’ rugby that capitalized on opponent mistakes behind a ‘prevent defense to use the gridiron term’. It continued that ‘any fundamentally sound team’ that does not turn the ball over should be able to defeat the Kenyan side with relative ease. The Kenyan team however, appeared more ‘fundamentally sound’ playing tight defense against a physically bigger English team and held them to one score while they themselves controlled the ball well enough on offense to score thrice (once in the first half, twice in the second half). All scores by the speedy Dennis Mwanja.

A semi-final meet with New Zealand’s vaunted All Blacks knocked the lads out 50-10 but they still have something to take home. The score, albeit lop-sided does not do justice to a good (not great) showing by the Kenyans keeping in mind they had overcome good opposition to earn a berth in the semis . The more experienced New Zealanders capitalized on lapses in Kenya’s kick offs thrice scoring after recovering the ball and racing to the try line without much defence from the Kenyan team. Two hard earned scores later and the half-time score was 33-0. The lads put on a spirited fight and scored twice in the second half. Incredibly, these were the first points conceded by New Zealand throughout the tournament. At the end though, Kenya was on the wrong side of history being made as the All Blacks earned a record 35th successive win with the victory. They moved on to win the tournament by beating a plucky and hard-tackling South African side 27-12.

THE GOOD
* Kenya played with a white arm band all tournament through signifying peace in the motherland after the election-fueled unrest witnessed in the country for close to a month.
* It is always good to see the large contingent of Kenyans at the Park and support for all things Kenyan. I am compiling a post on this to document the various initiatives.
* San Diego is beautiful and Petco Park hosted a wonderful incident-free tournament.

THE BAD
* Beverages are unbelievably expensive at Petco park. Additionally, limited variety on such beverages makes you wonder who the target really is at the ball park - die hard, obscenity yelling, potbellied baseball fan?
* Having a group from New Zealand perform a variation of native dances prior to the Semi Final meet between Kenya and New Zealand on the field was badly received, and rightly so, by the Kenyan fans. One close to me actually remarked that we should have brought out a few Maasai dancers to also showcase our dancing abilities? Such performances do give the impression that a team is being given a slight over another - this was a bad time for such a show.

(Re)Creation of Kenya - San Diego take 1

“God created Kenya to assist rugby take over the world. What’s your excuse?”

That was one of the more colorful captions on a fan t-shirt as sunny San Diego readied to host a contingent of Kenyans from all walks of life most of whom reside in the US. There were at least 7 other countrymen on our flight into Lindberg Field (Airport) in San Diego, and a few others we met at the car rental office. Even before we hit highway 5 to the city of Del Mar, where we will be staying for the next few days, we had already met about 20 fellow Kenyans. We arrived a bit late, our flight in was delayed and San Diego, is unseasonably cold. There are events lined up throughout the weekend. We all seem to agree that there is a lot that needs to be done, and are willing to do our part. At one of the events last night there were Kenyan flags, t-shirts, outfits and camaraderie was witnessed all over the place. Today promises not just good old rugby but also a chance for us to meet and talk to our fellow countrymen and hopefully help alleviate some of the strife in Kenya.

Aside: I talked to an individual whose family resides in Kisumu who lost his mom when her house was torched by attackers. His pain was visible as he narrated his ordeal and what his family has had to go through for the last few weeks. This, to me, makes the issue very real, and underscores the importance of banding together for these types of events for a good cause. He talked about his pain, more so against certain ‘Kikuyus’. You can easily see how the conflict in Kenya can and will affect friends far away from the conflict. What happens in Kenya, truly does not just stay in Kenya. There are very real victims and stories to be told out here as well.

We are headed to Petco park today. More stories and pictures as well as soon as I can figure out my new point-and-click.

Soccermania? I think not. Beckham’s in it for his wallet.

The hot story on my block is that Beckham is coming to play at a city near my vicinity. His move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy is being touted by soccer pundits as the move that could put US Soccer on the world map. Soccer moms and dads are said to be frothing at the mouth, wallets in hand ready to buy their insipid annoying brace-and-acne filled offspring a jersey of this supposed football prince. I don’t buy it. Call me pessimistic but Beckham won’t save the LA Galaxy or the US Soccer federation from the anonymity is continues to linger in behind the ever popular NFL and (I can’t believe i’m saying this) NASCAR. It might for the first 2 or so years of his 5 year contract - bring in some attention from the Europeans but that’s it. If the world cup didn’t do it, why would we think that a washed up has-been, unable to cut it at the Bernabeu would suddenly bring the ‘world’s game’ to the states? All it does is stuff Beckham’s already fat wallet with some extra dollars/pounds and give pretty boy a chance at perhaps beggining a movie career?

World Cup:The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Global events like the on-going world cup in Germany present unique opportunities for the world to come together despite our differences and celebrate our common love for the game. But you would be a fool to think the world cup is just about soccer, it also presents opportunities for people, irregardless of race, religion or nationality to sit together and enjoy as their teams out-duel each other for the ultimate prize, the Jules Rimet trophy. In the process we learn about other cultures, other people’s way of life and maybe even appreciate them more. That’s the Good.

Invariably it also showcases the worst in us, depicted by racist comments by conservative media especially in the US by characters such as Rush Limbaugh and his vast listening base. His utterances likening Ghanaian players to monkeys, and some twisted connection to slavery just before the US match are just a few examples (One of the reasons I don’t listen to “conservative radio” shows I should point out is that I personally think they are thinly veiled outlets in the media for racial intolerance as is being depicted currently in the immigration debate but that’s an issue I will address on another day). Limbaugh, I should point out is the same culprit, run out of ESPN for racist comments made about Donovan McNabb. While my intention is not to re-live these issues, I merely point to a trend that continues on and on.

“The way I see it is this: The only way we can beat them is to roll the clock back a couple hundred years. We conservatives are always in favor of that…just ask any commie/pinko/liberal. So here’s the plan. Arena needs to go in there, shackle them up, and ship them up the Rhine just like in the good old days. And then we can put them out on the field for our team…guaranteed victory!”(Rush Limbaugh)

On June 9th, CNN’s Glenn Beck, during a commentary on the world cup insisted that “no one cares about the world cup” and that all it reminded him was racist fans in Europe enjoying a boring sport. Mr Beck was right, racism is being addressed in soccer, as bad as it may be. But he also showcases what I term ‘collective ignorance’ by the US, a lack of understanding of what goes on outside of the country’s borders. Beck’s and Limbaugh’s comments are just a drop in the ocean in a barrage of racist and negative comments, directed towards soccer nations and by extension third world countries emanating from the media, mainly in the US. Eric Wynalda’s quip about Ronaldo being a “bloated waste of space” is not only disparaging and derogatory, it is also personal and unprofessional. The fact that little hue and cry has been raised about this is testament to the fact that our tolerance of racial bias continues to go unchecked. The Ugly.

Notice to Baby Girl - (World Cup Rules 101)

Dear Baby Girl,

This was forwarded to me..and I found it appropriate. Just so we clear up some issues before the world cup starts:

List of Rules

1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.

2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you will lose it (your eye).

3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don’t mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I wont have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World Cup month.

4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell from the second floor….it wont happen.

5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.

6. Please, please, please!! if you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say “get over it, its only a game”, or “don’t worry, they’ll win next time”. If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about football than me and your so called “words of encouragement” will only lead to a break up or divorce.

7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying “one” game, hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy excuse to “spend time together”.

8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don’t care if I have seen them or I haven’t seen them, I want to see them again. Many times.

9. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child related parties or gatherings that require my attendance because:
a) I will not go,
b) I will not go, and
c) I will not go.

10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Sunday to watch a game, we will be there in a flash.

11. The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about saying “but you have already seen this…why don’t you change the channel to something we can all watch??”, the reply will be: “Refer to Rule #2 of this list”.

12. And finally, please save your expressions such as “Thank God the World Cup is only every 4 years”. I am immune to these words, because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League, Spanish League, Premier League, etc etc.

Thank you for your cooperation.

— Next Page →

Admin

Podcast Powered by podPress (v4.8)