Referees Named for Safari Sevens
Kenyan Referees participate in an IRB Training session.
Top Kenyan referees Godwin Karuga and Johnbosco Muamba are in the list. Johannes (Joey) Salmans from the South Africa Rugby Union and David Rose from the RFU complete this initial list. They will join other referees who will be named in due course for the three-day tournament which kicks off on Friday June 19 at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground.
Muamba is on the IRB Talent Identification Programme (TIP) while Karuga has a wealth of experience in the middle for Africa Rugby Confederation (CAR) matches. Both referees have also had experience in the IRB Sevens World Series. Bosco’s recent high-profile appointment was during the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in April in Nairobi. Rose is a qualified IRB Trainer and will, in addition, conduct a Coaching of Match Officials’ course on Wednesday June 17 and Thursday June 18, ahead of the tournament.
“This course is one of the legacy aspects of this year’s Safari Sevens. Our intention is to ensure that we move further and further from unqualified comment on match official performance and closer to technically effective support,” said Fred Ollows, KRFU Development Manager.
Other referees being considered are from England, South Africa and Namibia. Safari Sevens, a Premier tournament in Africa has been a good breeding ground of players and referees who usually end up in the top rungs.
“This Safari Sevens, we are considering elite referees because of the increased profile of the tournament. Since we are now playing host to many national and professional players, we will now seek higher end match officials,” said Ian Amogola, Chairman of the Kenya Rugby Referees Society. “In fact, we are also going to use highly qualified match reviewers and match officials’ coaches. Some of the officials in this tournament are currently involved with the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa,” added Amogola.
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