Gem craving for Women's Kenya Cup action after promotion with Rongo University

Rongo University Women's rugby team coach Dennis Gem has pledged to lead the team in getting positive results over formidable opponents in the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Women's Kenya Cup league.

Rongo, who merged with Likoni women after the two parties agreed to a deal secured promotion registering a 100% win record with Shamberere finishing second in the event played in a round-robin format on Saturday and Sunday in Nakuru to earn a spot in the top tier.

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The youthful Rongo University side comprises players from Likoni, St Joseph Kitale, and Anjego School in Migori County.

Rongo opened the campaign with a hard-fought 10-05 win over Shamberere before running riot 25-00 against NYS spades and affirmed their top-tier status with a 27-03 win over Kenyatta University.

The two sides now join Mwamba, Impala RFC, Nakuru RFC, Western Spears, Maseno, and Suburbs to form an eight-team KRU Women’s Kenya Cup Women’s league.

"The ladies are excited because they did not expect this, being that they are smaller than other teams. Our girls are still young even age-wise. The oldest is 19 years. They have been training together since 2013. They won the 2021 U20 7s in Bomet and the 2022 U19 school games in Nakuru. Now, most have gone to Rongo University. It is a program that we follow through from Primary to high school to university. We showcase the challenge as we get a chance to study," Gem offered.

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While the team achieved a milestone in qualifying for the highly competitive league, Gem believes that they were not as adequately prepared as he would have liked.

He called for more friendly matches and tournaments for ladies, to give them a platform to showcase their talent from a young age.

"It is too early. If it was me to decide, I would prefer we remain down here and sharpen our skills first. I feel like we are not ready for the task. The other teams that have qualified like Western Spears, Mwamba, and Impala have an idea. It was our first 15s game, but we needed more matches. We are not well physically and not properly conditioned," he told Mozzart Sport.

The tactician has pleaded with well-wishers to pump money into the women's sport in the country in a bid to make it competitive like their male counterparts' league.

"We face challenges like, our girls are not physically big, we lack the financial muscle. Running a team is expensive in terms of kits, transport to and from match venues, accommodation, and meals among others. The women's team does not attract as many sponsors," he revealed.

Gem was also hopeful that their age-grade teams will go back to winning ways, after losing the Under-14 tag rugby national title to Nakuru.

In spite of that four of the ladies made the cut for the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago in August.

"We are hoping to take over the national team and fill it with our girls," he offered.

The upcoming season promises to be filled with exciting matches and intense competition as eight teams vie for the 2023-2024 Women’s Kenya Cup title.

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