Bamburi – A proud and successful association with Rugby Super Series

Bamburi – A proud and successful association with Rugby Super Series
by Herbert Mwachiro

Bamburi’s association with the Super Series begun in 2004 when they came aboard as a franchise sponsor. The Lions were the lucky team and the franchise for the 2004 Super Series was then known as the Bamburi Lions. The Lions in true tradition did reach the final where they were humbled by the Cheetahs.

The first time experience of participating in the Super Series seems to have excited senior Bamburi management. Then Marketing Manager Dennis Kashero noted after the 2004 series that this was indeed a tournament with great potential.

Nothing further was said nor discussed till August 2004 during the funeral of the late Hon. Karissa Maitha when Dennis Kashero met with Herbert Mwachiro and Willie Kilimatinde and the discussion of the Super Series came up in Mombasa. After an all night convincing session at Bob’s Bar in Nyali, Kashero acknowledged that the time had come for Bamburi/Lafarge to make a big entry into the Kenyan sporting scene. And what better way than to play a bigger role in the Rugby Super Series as the Title Sponsor.

The coastal air must have been great for the mind as with no hangovers in sight phone calls and meetings started taking place in Nairobi upon the trio’s return. Aggrey Chabeda and the indefatigable French man Emmanuel Maubert came aboard in the Bamburi Super Series drive. Chabeda and Maubert were the face of the Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) as they tirelessly made presentations to Bamburi seeking their commitment for the 2005 Series.

Once this was attained after many weeks of back and forth, the Bamburi Rugby Super Series was born.

With Bamburi officially announcing their sponsorship other corporates then boarded the bus as well. What had Bamburi gotten themselves into as their announcement generated a lot of excitement particularly in the media as their PR machinery went into overdrive selling the Bamburi brand as the new kid on the block associated with rugby. Mary Mueni then Brand Manager quickly assumed the operations mantle and with Kashero at the helm, the Bamburi Rugby Super Series started falling into place quite well. Bamburi’s David Njoroge’s enthusiasm could not be missed for sure as was former international cricketer Tariq Iqbal’s bulk at the games.

Bamburi took up the Lions franchise and rebranded them the Nguvu Lions. The Lions with their sponsor took the tournament with great seriousness and romped into the final brushing all aside. Alas but the final victory was not to be as the Tetra Pak/New KCC Buffaloes stole the cup from the Lions. Overall the tournament was a great success and the numbers watching on telly and at the grounds did not tell a lie.

Come 2006 Mary Mueni took charge from Bamburi’s end and kicked off where they left off in 2005. Having confirmed as title sponsor once again, Bamburi’s name evoked sheer excitement among rugby fans and envy from other corporates who thought they had monopolised rugby in Kenya. Nation Media Group decided they were not being left out of the party and hopped aboard the 2006 Bamburi Rugby Super Series.

Another great tournament it was with NMG media support proving that the tournament indeed moved up another level. With Kashero in transit on his way to Uganda, the then silent lady Sypie Nyinza came aboard the ship and the tournament lived up to its name. The Nguvu Lions did reach the final again and David Njoroge did cry when the trophy was presented to the Cheetahs. The new MD Michel Puchercos however did have a pleasant smile on his face. Maubert too smiled and said farewell to the tournament.

The idea of the Super Series going regional had been toyed around in 2006. This seemed to gain more footing in 2007 when the Buffaloes franchise was relocated to Nakuru. Efforts to get Uganda and Tanzania aboard came a cropper due to finances and logistics did not allow.

With Mueni playing top dog and Sypie in charge of operations the tournament successfully managed to have a ‘regional’ expansion by having all games played in Nakuru during the third weekend.

Nakuru welcomed the Bamburi Rugby Super Series and NMG like a faithful partner tagged along and screened one of the games live to the Kenyan public. The regional dream was still going strong. The Rift Valley had successfully embraced the Rugby Super Series and more importantly Bamburi had left a huge mark on the residents of Nakuru.

The final weekend saw Nguvu Lions matched up with the Rhinos in the final. This time David Njoroge pledged from his own pocket to top up as an incentive to the Nguvu Lions. Kashero flew in from Kampala to see the whether the bridesmaid tag would finally be dropped by the Nguvu franchise. A state of the art Bamburi courtesy tent was set up with all Bamburi’s clients on show to see them finally crown success in totality both off and on the pitch.

With the prize money having been more than doubled the final proved to be an exciting affair. One of the best rugby games played in recent times, the spectators came out in their droves. Nairobi that day only had one event on people’s lips and that was the Bamburi Rugby Super Series Final. The media went overboard that week and the Title Sponsor was definitely not disappointed by the turnout of rugby fans.

David Njoroge ended up keeping his money and needed more hankies to wipe the tears. Dennis Kashero was back in Kampala before midnight. Bob Nyang’aya was indeed left speechless. The bridesmaids had done it again but the then MD Michel Puchercos still had a smile on his face as he awarded the trophy and cheque to the winning Rhinos. Another successful tournament yet again!

2008 saw the tournament take a totally new dimension altogether. The regional dream was finally achieved with Tanzania Twigas joining the Super Series party. Uganda looked like they were in but pulled out at the last minute. The Tanzanians proudly and effectively carried the East African flag into the tournament.

Two games were played in Arusha. These were the first ever Bamburi Super Series games to be played outside Kenya making it a historical moment for the tournament. The Lions and the Cheetahs were hosted by the Twigas. Despite the great home support received, the Twigas ended up second best in both games.

This however did not dampen their enthusiasm as the Twigas strolled into Nairobi with their heads high up for their 5th/6th playoff with the Buffaloes almost upsetting them in the end.

Nevertheless the Tanzanians showed they had arrived and truly belonged to the Bamburi Super Series in its regional form.

On the upper scale the Lions yet again made it to the final where they squared off with defending champions the Rhinos. Lady Luck this time was on the Lions side as they upset a side that had been considered a shoe in for retaining their trophy.

Yes the Lions had finally won the trophy and after four previous attempts. Ironically they won it with a different franchise sponsor. Poor David Njoroge, he must be kicking himself.

The quality of rugby displayed in the 2008 edition was indeed very high. This definitely showed how well prepared the six franchises were.

The tournament again scored a first with the appearance of the first all Kenyan university franchise, the Nguvu Sharks. This exciting franchise made their long awaited debut and did themselves proud by making it to the semi-finals of the 2008 Bamburi Super Series.

The regional drive continues and hopefully 2009 will see Uganda finally join the party. Not only does one look forward to regional economic integration but also sports integration as well. Sport brings people together and once again it’s Bamburi Rugby that’s playing its rightful role and part.