NRU guns for a million

THE Namibia Rugby Union will need at least N$1 million to compensate national team players after their participation at the 2007 Rugby World Cup later this year, an official said yesterday.

Namibia is expected to compete at the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) World Cup in France from September until October 20 this year. The chief executive officer of the NRU, Christo Alexander, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the union need at least N$1 million to pay the national team players’ appearance fees after the world showpiece.He said the money is expected to be sourced from Government.Alexander said they have submitted a proposal to Government in this regard, but are still waiting for a reply.The money will mainly cover the appearance fees of the 30 players who will be with the side at the event, with each player expected to receive at least N$30 000 at the end of the competition in October.At least N$900 000 will go towards the players at the end of the event, with the rest of the money set to provide for their daily allowances.This is a far cry from the money paid to professional players, such as the ones in the South African Springbok side, who get over N$60 000 per match each.In Namibia, the leagues are not professional and many players have other careers outside rugby, with only a few who are playing for South African provincial sides as professionals.At the moment, players are paid a N$1 000 appearance fee per match, with an additional N$200 per day while with the team.Alexander said the money was not enough for the players who made sacrifices to play for their country, such as taking unpaid leave from their day jobs.He said the players were committed, however, and the union was proud that they take the country’s participation in the competition so seriously.The NRU is also planning to send 15 officials to France for the event.NRU president Dirk Conradie will be on the ticket of the IRB, but the union will be required to pay for the coach, team manager, team doctor and the media liaison manager.The executive committee will also decide which of its members will go with the team.The IRB will pay for the accommodation, meals and transport of the team, but the allowances and appearance fees for the Namibian delegation will be carried by the union.MTC recently signed a N$6 million sponsorship deal with the union for the next three years, with N$2 million set aside for each year.The NRU will use the money for training camps and friendly practice matches for the national team ahead of the World Cup.Namibia is expected to play against the South African Springbok side in August as part of their World Cup preparations.At the moment, the Namibian team is in Romania, where they are competing in the IRB Nations Cup.* Meanwhile, former Namibia national coach Johan Venter will hear his fate today, chairman of the NRU Disciplinary Committee, Naite Ndauendapo said.Venter was fired last month after he failed to attend an obligatory function of the NRU when the IRB rugby trophy was being presented in the country.Ndauendapo said Venter was due to give his side the story late yesterday after the NRU’s lawyers already presented their case this week.The chief executive officer of the NRU, Christo Alexander, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the union need at least N$1 million to pay the national team players’ appearance fees after the world showpiece.He said the money is expected to be sourced from Government.Alexander said they have submitted a proposal to Government in this regard, but are still waiting for a reply.The money will mainly cover the appearance fees of the 30 players who will be with the side at the event, with each player expected to receive at least N$30 000 at the end of the competition in October.At least N$900 000 will go towards the players at the end of the event, with the rest of the money set to provide for their daily allowances.This is a far cry from the money paid to professional players, such as the ones in the South African Springbok side, who get over N$60 000 per match each.In Namibia, the leagues are not professional and many players have other careers outside rugby, with only a few who are playing for South African provincial sides as professionals.At the moment, players are paid a N$1 000 appearance fee per match, with an additional N$200 per day while with the team.Alexander said the money was not enough for the players who made sacrifices to play for their country, such as taking unpaid leave from their day jobs.He said the players were committed, however, and the union was proud that they take the country’s participation in the competition so seriously.The NRU is also planning to send 15 officials to France for the event.NRU president Dirk Conradie will be on the ticket of the IRB, but the union will be required to pay for the coach, team manager, team doctor and the media liaison manager.The executive committee will also decide which of its members will go with the team.The IRB will pay for the accommodation, meals and transport of the team, but the allowances and appearance fees for the Namibian delegation will be carried by the union.MTC recently signed a N$6 million sponsorship deal with the union for the next three years, with N$2 million set aside for each year.The NRU will use the money for training camps and friendly practice matches for the national team ahead of the World Cup. Namibia is expected to play against the South African Springbok side in August as part of their World Cup preparations.At the moment, the Namibian team is in Romania, where they are competing in the IRB Nations Cup.* Meanwhile, former Namibia national coach Johan Venter will hear his fate today, chairman of the NRU Disciplinary Committee, Naite Ndauendapo said.Venter was fired last month after he failed to attend an obligatory function of the NRU when the IRB rugby trophy was being presented in the country.Ndauendapo said Venter was due to give his side the story late yesterday after the NRU’s lawyers already presented their case this week.