I’m writing this while watching the final Six Nations matches. Wales have claimed the Grand Slam by thrashing Ireland and now England are making Scotland look like tyros. This Championship epitomises the tribalism that exists within the United Kingdom, with everyone hating the English but plenty of other rivalries as well. Where I am this week, in Kenya, there are an astonishing forty two tribes, with the likes of the Kikuyu, Swahili and Maasai being the best known, although the Warrior Maasais make up only 1.5% of the population. They all have their own dialects and variations, but everyone speaks Swahili and English which is the Country’s official language. Inter-tribal rivalry has been quite a problem over the years in many African countries, causing civil wars in the past, with the potential to do so again, not least in places like South Africa. But my taxi driver was interesting on the way back from the course today. Plastic bags are banned here, with heavy penalties for those caught using them. The Government is making a concerted effort to clean up the Country, both visually and environmentally. It’s a brilliant initiative and one that every country needs to adopt quickly in my view. Next on the agenda is banning plastic bottles which is a bigger challenge. My driver explained that these sort of plans are helping to bring all the tribes together, with the Government encouraging everyone to think of themselves as Kenyan first and Kikuyu or whatever second. He also said that it’s becoming harder and harder to differentiate between people from the varied tribes since they’ve been allowed to inter-marry, which was strictly forbidden until I think ten or fifteen years ago. Apparently the only time you need to be concerned for your safety here is at election time, when tempers can run a little hot. Otherwise the best way to avoid trouble is to learn the local tribal slang. The villains invariably target outsiders first and a few questions in their tongue will quickly confirm you’re from out of town.
In the time it’s taken me to write that, Scotland are in the process of making the most extraordinary recovery at Twickenham. I don’t know about civil war, there might be a few Englishmen committing hari kari if they lose this one. It would be one of the most extraordinary sporting upsets in many a long year. This is ridiculous, Scotland have just scored twice in quick succession to level it at 31-31.
This is one sporting rivalry that has created all sorts of drama over the years with the historic Calcutta Cup at stake, but it’s thirty six years since Scotland won it at Twickenham. England’s Australian coach Eddie Jones will have some serious explaining to do about this one, whatever the result. An Australian born Scotsman , Sam Johnson, has just scored another try to put Scotland 38-31 ahead.
Meanwhile we’re heading into the final round of the Magical Kenyan Open with two Tour rookies leading the field. When it comes to magic, it would be harder to think of a better description for Scotland’s truly other-worldly comeback that so nearly brought about one of the great wins of all time. From 31-7 down at half time, they’ve come back to lead 38-31, only for England to score a try under the posts two minutes into extra time to tie at 38-38. Inevitably it persuaded one of the commentators to describe it as genuinely a game of two halves, one of the worst sporting cliches, but on this occasion thoroughly justified! Heading into the World Cup, England are going to carry some serious scars after this.
I’ll be heading off to Malaysia via Doha after tomorrow’s final round, so may be a little tardy with my messages, but hopefully No 40 will come from the Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, one of the great sweatboxes of the world. If I’m not ten pounds lighter landing at Gatwick in nine days time I shall be disappointed.
Usiku mwema na nakupenda.
Jaja
ADayInTheStrifeOf 