Telkom’s deal has hi-tech Sh2.8m gym

A Sh2.8 million mobile gymnasium, the first of its kind in Kenya, is part of Telkom Kenya’s Sh4 million, three-year sponsorship for the national 15-a-side rugby team.

The gym is designed specifically for rugby training and is expected to enhance the team’s efficiency.

Announcing the deal, with the Kenya Rugby Football Union, Telkom Kenya deputy chief executive officer Peter Reinartz said on Friday the telecommunications giant wanted to lay the foundation for future success, with the ultimate goal of Kenya qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Speaking at at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground, Reinartz called on other benefactors to come forward and sponsor Kenyan rugby, which is riding on the success of the shorter version.

The 15s team will now wear Telkom Kenya’s Orange-branded jerseys which were presented to the KRFU secretary, Frank Sabwa, on Friday.

Telkom Kenya are already a shorts sponsor for the national seven-a-side rugby team.

Strong team

“We know that building a strong team is a long-term process, based on the skills of each player and how they complement each other,” said Reinartz.

“Rugby, probably more than any other sport, needs this blend of talent, combining various physical capacities united in a common goal.”

He added that the success of the sevens team was proof that Kenya can post good results against the best.

During the ceremony, national coach Michael “Tank” Otieno named two Under-20 players to the senior team following their stunning performance in the just concluded International Rugby Board Junior World Rugby Trophy. Patrice Agunda of Kenya Harlequin and Oscar Ouma (Nakuru) got the nod from the selectors.

Thirty-five players, including the national sevens players, were named in a provisional squad that starts training at 10am on Sunday at RFUEA. Another 12 were named to the reserve team as a contingency when the sevens players are on national duty.

Besides Agunda and Ouma, nine new players have been included in the team after trials at the Impala Club on May 1. These are Nakuru’s Denis Abenga and Nick Lango, Brian Simiyu (Mean Machine), Gray Cullin (Nondescripts), Felix Wanjala (Mean Machine), Alex Mutune (Nondies), Chris Oduor (Quins) and Kevin Wambua (Mwamba).

Kenya is preparing for an Africa Rugby Confederation (CAR) Cup in Casablanca, Morocco, from July 7th to 10th. The tournament was initially slated for Togo. On August 15th, the team travels to Kampala for the first leg of the annual Elgon Cup.

Sabwa said the 15’s team had a Sh12 million budget and were already talking to other sponsors to emulate Telkom Kenya.

The squad:

Props: Daniel Kiptoo, Joel Ng’ang’a, Vincent Ong’era (Quins), Edwin Alubaka (KCB), Brian Simiyu, Desmond Mucheni (Mean Machine), Denis Abenga (Nakuru)

Locks: Anthony Ogot (KCB), Mike Aung (Nondies), Lewis Olaka (Quins), Wilson Kopondo (Mean Machine)
Flankers: David Mogere, Allan Onyango (Quins), Andrew Amonde (KCB), Brian Nyikuli (Impala), Benedict Nyambu (Nondies)

Eighthman: George Mbaye (Mwamba), Gray Cullin (Nondies), Paul Oimbo (Impala)

Scrum Halves: Charles Kanyi (Nondies), Felix Wanjala (Mean Machine), Gibson Weru (Nakuru)

Fly Halves: Alex Mutune (Nondies), Nato Simiyu (Impala), Lavin Asego (Mwamba)

Centres: Innocent Simiyu (Impala), Patrice Agunda (Quins), Humphrey Kayange (Mwamba), Biko Adema (Nondies)

Wingers: Leon Adongo (Quins), Naftaly Bondo (Impala), Collins Injera, Horace Otieno (Mwamba)

Full-backs: Vincent Mose (Nakuru), Chris Oduor (Quins)

Reserves: Paul Oketch, Kevin Wambua (Mwamba), Patrick Onyango, George Odipo (Quins), Duncan Ekasi (Impala), Benjamin Otieno, Calvins Biko (KCB), Oscar Ouma, Lawrence Byachi, Nick Lango (Nakuru), Keith Mongare (Strathmore University)