• Richard Omwela will today walk into Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) offices for the very last time as the chairman of the union.
Image: FILE
Richard Omwela will today walk into Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) offices for the very last time as the chairman of the union.
Elected in 2015 to replace Mwangi Muthee, the man who replaced him at the helm of the union back then, Omwela has served for two terms of two years each and becomes the last chairman to serve for two years.
The new KRU constitution allows officials to serve for four years. Just like Muthee, who resigned due to frustrations at the union, the city lawyer has seen it all during his tenure. He admits he has had both good and bad days at the helm and admits that failure to help national 15’s team qualify for the Rugby World Cup remains his biggest regret as KRU boss.
When he was elected, Omwela promised to help the team secure a place in the Rugby World Cup after coming close in 2014. However, his dream was short-lived as the Simbas crashed out of the qualifiers in France during the repecharge.
He faulted the government for failing to give them the support during their preparations for the repecharge after they failed to secure direct slot from Africa. The move saw the union do away with the New Zealand coaches, who replaced Jerome Paarwater. KRU are currently in talks with the Kenya Under-20 coach Paul Odera to take over the reins at national 15’s team.
Omwela said one of his greatest achievements at the union was the Kenya Sevens winning the Singapore leg under Benjamin Ayimba. It was the first time Shujaa had won IRB leg after coming close under Mike Friday.
However, as fate would have it, Omwela’s tenure comes to an end at a time when the union’s relationship with Kenya Sevens players has become rocky amid boycotts over contracts. Omwela, however, said he is glad to leave with his head high after helping the union reconcile with the affected players.
However, players still insist there is no deal between them and the union. The players have returned to training but at this moment no return to work formula has been reached between the two parties. Omwela has urged the next KRU boss to keep improving the game as well as work with all stakeholders.
He, however, maintained that this is not the last time he is serving the union. He said he is ready to take up a role as a director at the Safari Sevens Committee if the board approves. For now, it’s goodbye Omwela and a warm welcome to the new KRU chairman.