More funding needed for rugby: Losper

WINDHOEK – Namibia’s participation in the three International Rugby Board (IRB) World Cup competitions since the country’s independence in 1990 are proving to be a costly exercise, which is why more funding is desperately needed for the country to continue participating in the 2010 Vodacom Cup.

NRU Vice President Sarel Losper said travelling and other related expenses for the Welwitschias are covered by a number of individuals, since there are no official sponsors for the team.Despite the financial troubles, Losper vowed that the team would continue playing in the Vodacom Cup Series to upgrade the national team players’ skills and expose them to more competitive rugby against South African teams.Losper noted that government, through the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), has channelled funding to the NRU, which is highly appreciated. He also thanked Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) for assisting rugby for the past six years.’We (Namibia) were playing rugby in the South African Currie Cup before Independence, but all came to an end in 1990, and we now play against national teams from other countries,’ he said.Namibia played in the 1999 IRB World Cup, as well as the 2003 and 2007 editions, and qualified for a place in the 2011 IRB World Cup to be hosted by New Zealand.There are about 11 to 15 players plying their trade in South Africa and Europe, while close to 60 young players are playing rugby for either colleges or universities in South Africa.As far as race is concerned, Losper said: ‘Blacks and coloureds have more clubs than their white compatriots in the country, striking a balance in race representation (in the sport),’ adding that before independence, rugby was predominantly a white sport. Losper further said that for the NRU to have had a black president in Dirk Conradie, who served for two consecutive terms since 2002, means that blacks and coloureds now own more clubs, thus have more votes.’It was a step in the right direction to have elected a black president,’ he added.On their five-year plan, Losper said the NRU wish to continue competing in the Vodacom tournament including the Currie Cup in 2012.Meanwhile, with Namibia now competing in the Vodacom tournament, getting a place in the senior national team will be tough, as players, including those playing outside the country, will now have to attend trials. ‘We want to have a full programme for a whole year, and we also hope to introduce what we call a regional system and not just depend on the rugby clubs only,’ stressed Losper.According to him, the introduction of women’s rugby is high on the NRU’s agenda, as there are currently four teams playing against each other.As part of their progressive plan, the NRU hopes to have an A-team that will compete against African nations on the continent, while the main senior team will only concentrate on playing nations in Europe, Asia and the Americas.Losper added that an under-21 competition will soon be introduced to cater for school graduates. – Nampa