We seriously need a name for this place, this place that has hosted titanic battles since 1955, this place that has hosted the British Lions, the Welsh, the Sprinboks and the Barbarians.
This place that you guys almost rioted, when the greatest sevens tournament South of the Sahara and North of the Limpopo, was moved away from it. This place that holds the memory of that Ashioya try, this place that holds the memory of an African cup triumph, more recently a back three like none other. This place that the Simba calls home.
It is time we got this place a name, by the fans for the fans, call it our democracy. The RFUEA sounds too ancient, something more of a pre-historic site, than the home of this beautiful sport in the region. Plus pronouncing it, let alone typing it out is a different story all together.
Rarely do rugby stadiums need nick names, as they usually have very catchy ones. Ellis and Eden park, Twickenham (does Twickers count?), The sevens, Millenium stadium, even the Legends Rugby Club, who would want to change any of those?
But across the sport divide, when Manchester United fans got tired of Old Trafford, they nick named it the Theater of dreams. In Scotland, Celtic Park is nicknamed Paradise, what guys referred to as Upton Park (home of West Ham United) was officially called Boleyn Ground.
Closer, rather at home, when KCB fans got tired of calling it the KCB Sports Club, they named their home ground, the Lion’s den. When the students in Madaraka thought Strathmore Sports Complex was a mouthful, they named theirs the cage. After their side went almost two years unbeaten at home, the Nakuru faithful nicknamed their’s the Suguta Valley (It might be time to rethink this one my dear Wanyore.)
Ladies and gentlemen it is time, time to christen this sacred ground, with a name befitting its status. When we sit down to watch the Simbas take on Uganda on the 24th and every other game after that, let us sit on a newly named stadium.
Share with us your preferred nickname in the comments section below, or with your friends on your social media platforms, using the hashtag #NameRFUEA and whichever is deemed the best by you, is it.
Think we can’t do it? Well look at how far #SimbaNiMoja has come…
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
