As the Blackrock tour of Uganda comes to an end, the rugby playing children and youth from in and around the Kakira community in Jinja have yet another reason to smile and keep playing this beautiful sport.
First came the Kakira Simbas RFC, who got promoted to the top tier of Uganda Rugby, which was a clear inspiration to the up-and-coming players that they have a shot at playing at the highest level in Uganda, then came the Blackrock College RFC Tour.
This tour began with a friendly game between the Uganda Allstars XVs and Blackrock, where Kakira players like Bave Okumu and Denis Ofoyrwoth were invited to train with and play alongside some of their idols like Michael Wokorach, a signal to the national team selectors, and a warning to the rest of the Uganda rugby fraternity that the Kakira project is almost ripe.
After the age grade tournament held at the Kakira pitch, each and every youngster walked away with a medal, a reminder of why it is important to stay in this game.
Additionally, and most importantly, the future rugby superstars received playing kit like tops, shorts and shoes, while their coaches received technical team tracksuits.
Each team was attached to a Blackrock College RFC player who took them through some basics of the game like passing, catching and kicking, as well as the laws of the game and some words of advice and encouragement.
These Blackrock players shall be in action on Friday during the fun rugby 7s where teams from as far as Mbale shall compete with and learn from each other.