Dubai: Rugby and coffee don’t usually go hand in hand but for one team from Uganda the two have made a perfect blend.
The Gazelles from Kampala, who are making their debut in the women’s invitational at the Dubai Rugby Sevens this weekend, have part funded their trip to the emirates through coffee sales.
Aside from helping to finance the team’s travels, funds from coffee also go towards empowering women through a range of educational and social projects.
In Uganda 68 per cent of children that go to primary school don’t finish, and girls are married off and can become pregnant as young as 14. Sport, especially rugby, is not considered an acceptable female pastime.
It is hoped that if the Gazelles — who were formed this year — do well this weekend it won’t just help them sell more coffee, but also change attitudes and help more girls like them in Uganda stay in school, pursue sport, and realise their full potential.
Only two of the squad in Dubai have previously travelled outside of Africa before — coach Helen Koyokoyo Buteme and captain Charlotte Thereza Mudoola, who both played for Uganda in the 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup in Dubai — and three had never even flown before.
Arriving in Dubai has therefore been a bit of a shock for some of the players. “Flying in a plane was amazing,” said fly-half Nomagembe Justine Yolanda. “At first I was scared but the people sitting next to me kept me calm and comforted me.
“When we arrived in Dubai the buildings and roads were so nice, we even saw the tallest building in the world and went to the beach. In Uganda all the buildings are squeezed together, but here they are nice, tall and spaced apart.”
The project was set up by German national Annekatrin Els, who first went to Uganda nine-years ago to do aid work at an orphanage and ended up adopting two children. Two of the players in Dubai this weekend actually came from the same orphanage where Els worked.
“In Uganda there is a vicious cycle of girls leaving school early, working the land, getting pregnant and that’s it,” said Els. “This is not about telling them what to do, or what’s right and wrong, but it’s just about showing them that there are other options.”
Coach Helen added: “This way they can develop their careers, finish their education, play sport and travel the world.
“We’ve seen them grow in confidence on the pitch and that translates off the pitch as well. Now they are starting to make decisions instead of just following what it is their families and society say they should do.
“Other girls in their communities will see this and want to follow suit, so they are role models and it will have a ripple effect.”
Dubai is a first big test for the Gazelles, but captain Charlotte is upbeat.
“We are underdogs but if there’s one thing I know about rugby, it’s all about the heart, if you have heart and are hungry then no matter how much you are the underdog you can always surprise bigger teams.
“We will leave the pitch with our heads held high having earned respect from others who will see that there’s potential and a future in Uganda.”
The Gazelles would like to thank Fly Dubai, Time Hotels, North Tours and BFC management for also helping to subsidise and sponsor their trip.
