After 3 stops of the National 7s series, the 12 men’s core sides have participaed in all, while 5 of the 6 women’s core sides have achieved the same feat.
The Nile Rapids missed the first stop, which was the Coronation 7s, but were represented at the Gulu 7s by a side that was clearly out of its depth. As the core men’s sides were honouring their fixtures, some of the originally announced invitational sides were electing not to participate.
First up, Impis and Warriors qualified for the Coronation 7s, by way of finishing in the Top 4 of the first round of the Central Uganda 7s, but they elected to play at the Entebbe 7s, where the Kisubi Pacers were a no show.
Sporting and financial reasons have been raised by some of the invitational sides and there is a clear theme.
“Sharks played the Coronation 7s because we were available. Technically, these invitations are much needed for us, but logistically, it taps into the little resources at our disposal. Getting a team to play requires a lot of things; transporting the players, feeding them, medical kits etc,” noted VU Sharks Team Manager Cynthia Nabukeera.
“We discussed with the coaches that we give more time to other engagements for if we keep getting money from the Makerere Games Union for invitational tournaments, then we shall suffer during subsequent tournaments like the Uganda Cup. Additionally, the boys are depleted, they need some rest,” remarked Isaac Onyango, the Chairman Impis.
Is it attractive enough for clubs to run through their already meagre resources and thin squads, despite the competition subsidies and glory, for a tournament where they stand no chance of neither winning nor getting relegated?