Old boy KRU boss Omwela boosts Ebusiloli with kit

Emuhaya Sub-County Rugby school champions Ebusiloli Boys have been boosted by training kit worth Ksh250,000 donated by old-boy and Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman, Richard Omwela.

Ebusiloli, who started rugby in 2009 have been going through hard times practicing and competing due to lack of adequate training material but are hoping the kit containing 20 balls, full uniforms, 38 pairs of boots and training bags among others will spark development.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Omwela who handed the kit to the school on Wednesday said he was moved by the zeal displayed by Ebusiloli despite their challenges in embracing the shorter version of the game.

“First and foremost, I was touched. You see, this school doesn’t have any background of rugby leave alone training facilities. I was impressed when I learned that the boys have the ability not only to play but also win.

“They brought me trophies they had won in local tournaments. Honestly, I had no otherwise but stand with them and that’s why I felt I owed them kit, which I just delivered to the school,” the Union boss told.

“And, mark this; I’m not only supporting my local school. I’m willing and ready to support any other team that shows good performance and deserves support, not necessarily from Emuhaya where I come from. But any other region so that I would not be seen biased,” he clarified.

Omwela, a Nairobi lawyer, who was born and raised in the region, was elected back as Union chairman in hotly-contested elections where he polled 25 votes against Gabriel Ouko’s 18 during the Annual General Meeting at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds on March 17.

The school’s principal, Joel Omutsuni, while confirming receiving the kit could not hide his joy either.

“Omwela is the president of the rugby in the country and if his home squad is doing well don’t you think he would be happy to donate something? He is an old boy here,” the school head asserted.

“We are preparing very well, we are doing thorough practice and the boys are feeding very well. They are energetic and having won several tournaments including the recent one organized at Chavakali and the Sub-County Championship, we are hitting the coming regional games with a bang,” he added.

Ebusiloli is the second best upcoming school rugby team after Emusire Boys in the region, having started the game.

Ebusiloli, who took part in 2016 Black Rock Rugby that brought together secondary schools and clubs from the regions and emerged champions after they saw off Nyangori Boys 5-0 in the final staged at Friends College Kaimosi Grounds early this year.

Ebusiloli Boys, Busali Union, Kigama Secondary are new kids on the block who are slowly challenging established regional giants Chavakali High, Nyangori High, Mbale and Vihiga Highs that have nurtured famous talent that is flying Kenyan flag high in the HSBC World Series.