Nairobi, Tuesday 2nd December 2014…Standard Chartered Bank today presented a sponsorship of Kshs 5.5 million to Impala Club to support the development of youth rugby. The funds will be channelled to the Impala Rugby Academy to fund training for boys and girls between ages 7-17 years. The funding from Standard Chartered Bank is part of a five year deal that was signed between the Bank and Impala Club two years ago.
Speaking during the occasion Mr. Geoffrey Gangla, Impala Rugby Club Chairman lauded Standard Chartered Bank for supporting the academy.
He disclosed that since its launch two years ago, the Academy has partnered with 10 schools in the area and reached out to over 800 children. “Impala Saracens Rugby Academy whose main objective was to use rugby to positively influence youth in the community around Impala Club through rugby has provided a pathway for the community youth from strained socio-economic circumstances support for the development of key life skills,” said Gangla. Participating schools include Jamhuri, Joseph Kangethe, Toi and Cheryl primary schools and Riruta Central, Maono, Uycus, Kibra, Olympic and Raila Odinga Centre secondary.
Mr Gangla noted that the investment in the academy was beginning to bear fruit as the trainees are already making a positive impact on the local rugby scene. “From this program, Sam Onsomu, Ian Minjire, Sammy Oliech and Robert Aringo were called up in 2014 to be part of the larger Kenya 7s squad. Billy Omondi, Warren Nyanjom, Kanyiri Kariuki, Simon Muniafu and Tyson Okoth represented Kenya in various Under 19 tournaments including CAR U19, Africa Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games while Spencer Ochieng, Lucas Opal, Clarence Ngesa and Kevin Kerore represented Kenya in an Under 15 sevens tournament in France,” he said.
Mr. Peter Gitau Standard Chartered Bank Rugby Committee Chairman said the Bank will continue supporting development of youth rugby to help the Kenya Rugby Union build a stable feeder system for the national team. “We are indeed gratified by the impact this partnership has had in the country’s rugby. The Club’s continued participation in the Singapore Tour and the sound rugby academy structures set up through funding from Standard Chartered Bank has not only provided the much needed exposure of our local players but also helped expose many children to the game at an early age,” said Mr. Gitau.
Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Mwangi Muthee paid tribute to both Impala and Standard Chartered Bank, saying, “Impala Saracens Rugby Club is a key pillar of Kenya rugby and the Kenya Rugby Union is delighted that they are this morning receiving a major boost through financial sponsorship.Standard Chartered would not have picked a worthier project to support because Impala’s well-being is also the welfare of many Kenyan youth and the game of rugby in the country as a whole.”
“Standard Chartered have chosen a club fully focused on development of the national game. Impala’s current programme of nurturing young players is almost second to none. Already, their Academy has produced one of the emerging talents in the Kenya Sevens team, the half back Samson Onsomu,” he added.
Under the 12 year partnership, Standard Chartered Bank also provides Kshs 2 million financial support to Impala Club annually to participate in the Singapore Sevens Tournament.
Said Mr. Gitau: “Our presence here today is a strong endorsement of the programmes put in place by Impala Club. As we extend the partnership, we are confident that Impala Saracens will continue to scale the heights in the local and international rugby circles.”
During the occasion, the Bank also donated playing kit and rugby balls to the academy.
Story by Michael
