Ian Mabwa has registered his elation at being named Resolution Impala Saracens’ Driftwood 7s Man of The Tournament:
Is this my first sevens tournament? I would say – significantly yes! It has been the first time I have played that many games in one weekend. The experience within the 2 days in Mombasa was very exhilarating but I cannot hide how the pre-season was filled with lots of inspiration. Richard Sidindi used to constantly remind me to pay keen attention to my strengths & stay calm even in some of the most tension-filled matches. The match against KCB on Saturday 2nd September remains special to me. Going into the scrum, we were 10-7 ahead & were under pressure to find a try that would propel us forward for a comfortable win. I told Ian Minjire & Robin Kiplang’at that I still had the energy to shuttle through the pitch. The strategy was for either Kiplang’at or Minjire to kick deep into KCB half whenever the chance opened up. Kiplang’at kicked, the bounce favored me & I scored the try. Kiplang’at went on to convert, sealing the game 17-7 & we booked a quarter final spot.
Mombasa was quite eye opening to me & another newbie – Mark Kwemoi. We wouldn’t have wanted to lose to Menengai Oilers at the Main Cup Quarters. I personally believe it had to do with our mental preparedness & how we vary it for specific teams before playing against them. We have the skill, fitness & drive to play much better. I am very optimistic about this weekend. It is a unique opportunity to prove our worth.
Ian Mabwa is a graduate of the Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy who now plays in the elite Resolution Impala Saracens Gazelles team. The Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy’s main objective is creating social change within the communities it works with in Kenya. It is from this academy set up that Kenya XV players like Samson Onsomu, Simon Muniafu, Eric Kerre, James Kubasu & Seje Owade. Currently, the Academy’s effect has been felt by more than 1000 children this year. This story on Ian Mabwa’s background, done in 2014 is worth a read: http://www.impalasaracens.com/
