On Sunday, April 28th 2024, a small group of fans gathered at the Orchid Lounge to watch the Kenya U20 team, the Chipu, play in the 2024 Barthes Cup final in Harare, Zimbabwe against the hosts.
Chipu were aiming to become only the second side in Kenya’s history, after the class of 2019, to outrightly book a slot to represent the continent at the World Rugby U20 trophy. The side had surmounted great challenges to make it that far.
Standing between them and destiny was a Junior Sables side that had won back-to-back Barthes trophies, in Nairobi, having knocked out Chipu in the semis in 2022, and in the final the following year. The most recent result between the two, a 64-10 demolition of Chipu, at the 2023 World Rugby U20 trophy held at Nyayo Stadium.
Fans and pundits alike gave Chipu no fighting chance in that final, but once again, against all odds, we watched the boys come together to overcome their latest challenge, coming back from a 10-0 scoreline in the opening stages of that final, to see off Zimbabwe 28-13, and claim the 2024 Barthes Trophy!
As we sat there soaking in the win, a group of us decided that we can’t let these boys go through the same challenges they went through in the run-up to Zimbabwe, hence the birth of #ChipuToScotland! An initiative by us the rugby fans, to support Chipu as they head out to Scotland in a week or so.
While we can sit down and complain and point fingers as to who should do what and who hasn’t done what, how about we stand up and follow the example set by these gallant Chipu boys? Yes as a sport, we have our issues, those will take time to sort out, but what we can sort out right now is supporting these boys!
We have set up a fundraising platform, here https://www.mchanga.africa/fundraiser/100214 and set ourselves a merge target of KES 1 Million, to be handed to the team before they head out to Scotland sometime next week.
Further, we have organised a fan’s touch tournament, set for Saturday 22nd June, at the RFUEA grounds, team registration is 50K, paid through the same channel (You can be as many as you want in a team). If you just want to come and watch, entry is 300 bob paid to the same platform.
There is also tonnes of rugby action that will be aired at Orchid, from Kenya Lionesses at Monaco, the URC final, the greatest team in the World will also be playing vs Wales on the same afternoon! Lots of fun to go all around as we support the boys.
So join us on this journey, as we support #ChipuToScotland, and see you on Saturday!
P.S. All monies/contributions will be accounted for and handed over to the team.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
