I will not step down: Conradie

NAMIBIA Rugby Union president Dirk Conradie says he will not step down unless the clubs that voted him into office ask him to do so.

Conradie spoke to The Namibian Sport yesterday in the wake of the humiliating 49-0 defeat of the national team at the hands of Morocco in the Confederation of Africa Rugby Cup (CAR) in Casablanca over the weekend. Namibia, who were the defending champions, are now out of contention in the competition.Conradie said: “If white people want me out as president, then they should tell me that and they should be supported by the black clubs who vote for me at each election.”He said it does not make sense for him to get a unanimous vote at the elections and still there are predominantly white rugby clubs that do not support him as president.”These people (white clubs) know what the problems are in rugby.I am willing to step down if they tell me that they want to take over, but I will not do so if no one stands up to that challenge.They can put in a vote of no confidence if they wish to do so,” he said.But Chris Roets, executive member of United Rugby Club, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that they had already confronted Conradie and asked him to resign.Conradie has been serving as rugby president for six years now and at one stage shared the presidency with James Camm.After the unceremonious expulsion of United from all NRU activities a few months ago, Conradie came under heavy criticism for apparently failing to honour financial obligations towards senior players of the team, especially after performing national duties.He and the union were both accused of financial mismanagement, disregard for rules and regulations and a lack of vision for the game in general.United was expelled after it refused to release its players for national team trials, as most of them were demanding outstanding match fees and allowances from the NRU.United has appealed the decision to the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC), and is expected to meet the members of that body on November 21.Roets said Conradie does not have the interest of the game at heart and should leave, suggesting that current Namibian Ombudsman, John Walters, should take over the reins.”We at United do not aspire to take over the management of the game, but we want competent people who can run the union on sound financial principles.The right person is John Walters,” he said.Roets accused Conradie of making promises and breaking them, while he allegedly also disregards the rules and regulations of the NRU.He said the expulsion of United was not approved by the NRU’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), claiming that no disciplinary hearing has ever been called.He said United’s players will never play for Namibia while Conradie is still president.About 95 per cent of the players who competed in Morocco at the weekend had only played for the national side once.Most of the experienced players stayed at home because they refused to be part of the team.The bulk of the senior players are from United and Wanderers, both predominantly white clubs.The Namibian team still needs to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.The qualification rounds will be held early next year.Meanwhile, the NRU will hold an executive meeting on Saturday, where it is expected to elect a new vice president and three executive members.Namibia, who were the defending champions, are now out of contention in the competition.Conradie said: “If white people want me out as president, then they should tell me that and they should be supported by the black clubs who vote for me at each election.”He said it does not make sense for him to get a unanimous vote at the elections and still there are predominantly white rugby clubs that do not support him as president.”These people (white clubs) know what the problems are in rugby.I am willing to step down if they tell me that they want to take over, but I will not do so if no one stands up to that challenge.They can put in a vote of no confidence if they wish to do so,” he said.But Chris Roets, executive member of United Rugby Club, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that they had already confronted Conradie and asked him to resign.Conradie has been serving as rugby president for six years now and at one stage shared the presidency with James Camm.After the unceremonious expulsion of United from all NRU activities a few months ago, Conradie came under heavy criticism for apparently failing to honour financial obligations towards senior players of the team, especially after performing national duties.He and the union were both accused of financial mismanagement, disregard for rules and regulations and a lack of vision for the game in general.United was expelled after it refused to release its players for national team trials, as most of them were demanding outstanding match fees and allowances from the NRU.United has appealed the decision to the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC), and is expected to meet the members of that body on November 21.Roets said Conradie does not have the interest of the game at heart and should leave, suggesting that current Namibian Ombudsman, John Walters, should take over the reins.”We at United do not aspire to take over the management of the game, but we want competent people who can run the union on sound financial principles.The right person is John Walters,” he said.Roets accused Conradie of making promises and breaking them, while he allegedly also disregards the rules and regulations of the NRU.He said the expulsion of United was not approved by the NRU’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), claiming that no disciplinary hearing has ever been called.He said United’s players will never play for Namibia while Conradie is still president.About 95 per cent of the players who competed in Morocco at the weekend had only played for the national side once.Most of the experienced players stayed at home because they refused to be part of the team.The bulk of the senior players are from United and Wanderers, both predominantly white clubs.The Namibian team still needs to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.The qualification rounds will be held early next year.Meanwhile, the NRU will hold an executive meeting on Saturday, where it is expected to elect a new vice president and three executive members.