Rugby to pull itself together

ELEVEN rugby clubs have agreed to co-operate with the Namibia Rugby Union in a bid to restore the credibility of the game, which has been dogged by allegations of racism and a lack of financial accountability and transparency.

At its annual general meeting held in Windhoek on Saturday, the NRU bosses committed themselves to rectifying all the wrongs in the sport, which was put under investigation by the Minister of Sport, John Mutorwa, in recent months. NRU president Dirk Conradie yesterday told The Namibian Sport that the clubs present at the meeting and the union committed themselves to amicably resolving all the hiccups, which has seen little international competition of the national team lately.He said the financial reports of the union were also approved and now the union was gearing itself to ensure that all grievances, especially those of national team players who have refused to play for the country, were resolved.He also confirmed that United Rugby Club would remain on suspension after it refused to make its players available for national team selection.United has since appealed the decision, which is soon to be considered by the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC).Conradie, who has been serving as president for almost five years now, said the position of vice president could not be filled at the AGM because nominations for the post “were not in order”.”This matter has been referred to our next meeting.The [date of] the next meeting will be decided upon at a later stage,” he said.Conradie added that the Minister of Sport would be happy with the outcome of the AGM, as all issues were discussed in a peaceful manner and the clubs that were present committed themselves to lifting the game to higher standards by co-operating with the union, although some of the clubs are not particularly in favour of the union’s leadership.Rugby is one of the codes, together with netball and athletics, that are being investigated by the NSC because of constant infighting that is holding back progress on the playing field.A positive sign recently was the qualification of the national under-18 side for next year’s IRB Under-19 Rugby World Cup in Dubai.NRU president Dirk Conradie yesterday told The Namibian Sport that the clubs present at the meeting and the union committed themselves to amicably resolving all the hiccups, which has seen little international competition of the national team lately.He said the financial reports of the union were also approved and now the union was gearing itself to ensure that all grievances, especially those of national team players who have refused to play for the country, were resolved.He also confirmed that United Rugby Club would remain on suspension after it refused to make its players available for national team selection.United has since appealed the decision, which is soon to be considered by the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC).Conradie, who has been serving as president for almost five years now, said the position of vice president could not be filled at the AGM because nominations for the post “were not in order”.”This matter has been referred to our next meeting.The [date of] the next meeting will be decided upon at a later stage,” he said.Conradie added that the Minister of Sport would be happy with the outcome of the AGM, as all issues were discussed in a peaceful manner and the clubs that were present committed themselves to lifting the game to higher standards by co-operating with the union, although some of the clubs are not particularly in favour of the union’s leadership.Rugby is one of the codes, together with netball and athletics, that are being investigated by the NSC because of constant infighting that is holding back progress on the playing field.A positive sign recently was the qualification of the national under-18 side for next year’s IRB Under-19 Rugby World Cup in Dubai.