Rombo appointed Rugby League head coach

Former Kenyan international, Edward Rombo has been appointed the head coach of Kenya Rugby League Federation (KRLF).

In a statement released by the federation on Monday, Rombo will assume his new role immediately and alongside leading the national team program, he will also provide technical assistance in the development of the sport.

At 53, Rombo is an internationally accredited tactician with a vast experience in rugby spanning to more than three decades both as a player and coach.

He was the first Kenyan to play professional rugby league when he signed for Leeds RLFC in England and would later on sign up for other teams including Dewsbury and Featherstone Rugby League Clubs also in England.

Rugby league is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 m wide and 112–122 m long.

Unlike in the Rugby Union which has 15 players each on a pitch measuring 100m long and 69m wide, most of the rules in Rugby League were changed with the aim of producing a faster and more entertaining game.

The sport has been present in Kenya since the early 1990 thanks to the popularization of Rombo.

KRLF chairman Nyakwaka Adhere has hailed Rombo as a resourceful person in the game, hoping his wealth of experience will inject the much-needed impetus to the infant Rugby League in the country and region.

Nyakwakwa revealed that the federation has already developed programs  for the post-coronavirus.

“Once Covid-19 is controlled in Africa, we will have short domestic league, with 10 clubs during which the national team will be picked by selectors. This will be in readiness for the maiden Kenya vs South Africa test match at the end of the year,” he said.

On his part Rombo has vowed to build a strong national team with his focus being to make Kenya a powerhouse of the little-known sport.

“As a pioneer rugby league player from Kenya. I’m happy to play my part in ensuring the sports takes root in Kenya and have a strong National team hoping to take part in the future world cup.”

Rombo similarly contends “the league is a simple game version and my philosophy would be to utilize our natural running abilities and keep the ball a live as much as possible”.

KRLF development Partner, Give Rugby Foundation (GRF) has embraced and welcomed the new development. Sisye Elon of GRF says this now moves Rugby League in Kenya to the next Level and world class stage.

Additional reporting by Gilbert Kiprotich