Top teams snub Nairobi 10’s
By Brian Wasuna, bwasuna@ke.nationmedia.comThe Nairobi 10-a-side held on Friday and Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium failed to live up to its billing because of poor attendance by top teams and fan low turnout.
Previously known as the One Night Stand, the tournament only managed to attract close to 1,000 fans at the 40,000-seater stadium.
The heavily- packed season has been cited as one of the reasons for the poor turnout alongside the decision to have the first day’s games on Friday.
Most top sides in attendance opted to give their fringe players and injury returnees a test run before the 15-a-side season kicks off next weekend with the Impala Floodlit Tournament.
KCB, Kenya Harlequins and Nondescripts chose to skip the tournament citing player after the sevens circuit. Quins has raised concerns over the number of games their players will be involved in.
“Players risk burning out early in the season as some will have played for two years without a proper break. It also puts them at risk of injuries so they’ll need to skip some of the tournaments,” Quins’ backline coach Sidney Obonyo.
The Ngong Road side has also pulled out of the Impala Floodlit Tournament citing the same reasons.
Thika County, however, has turned out to be the biggest loser, as it had to cancel the first ever Thika County 10-a-side Tournament in fear of being snubbed by Nairobi- based teams, which were to be used as crowd pullers.
Strathmore beat Homeboyz side 19-12 to win the Main Cup and Sh50,000 prize money.
Technical University of Kenya shocked Impala 14-7 win in the Plate final while USIU outclassed Multimedia. University 24-0 to lift the Bowl.
Strathmore Head Coach Mitch Ocholla praised his charges, saying it was a good fight especially in the final where they had to face an almost full strength Homeboyz side.
“It was not easy, and credit must be given to the upcoming players for their triumph. We now look forward to the 15-a-side season, where we want to pick up from where we left off last season,” said Ocholla.
The shorter versions of the game now takes a break until the 2014 Easter weekend when Nakuru host the Great Rift 10-a-side tournament.