Rugby short of bucks - by John Tuerijama
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Rugby short of bucks
17 Mar 2010
WINDHOEK - In spite of Namibia's participation in three International Rugby Board (IRB) World Cup competitions since the country's independe...
Major reshuffle for Warriors
17 Mar 2010
WINDHOEK - Brave Warriors coach Tom Saintfiet has promised to ring the changes when the wounded Warriors take on Botswana in a FIFA-sanction...
WINDHOEK - In spite of Namibia's participation in three International Rugby Board (IRB) World Cup competitions since the country's independence in 1990, more funding is desperately needed for the country to continue participating in the South African provincial Vodacom Cup.
NRU Vice-President Sarel Losper told Nampa yesterday that travelling and other related expenses for the Welwitschias are covered by a number of individuals in the absence of an official sponsor.
Despite the insufficient funds, Losper vowed that the team would continue to play in the Vodacom Cup in an effort to sharpen the players' skills, whilst exposing them to more competitive rugby against the South African teams.
Losper noted that Government, through the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), has channeled funding to the NRU, which is highly appreciated. He also thanked the country's largest mobile operator Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) for assisting rugby for the past six years.
"We were playing 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, and subsequent editions in 2003 and 2007. The country has also qualified for the 2011 IRB World Cup finals in 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),' he charged, adding that before independence, rugby was predominantly a white sport.
Losper further said that for the NRU to have had a black president in the name of 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 wishes to continue competing in the Vodacom tournament, including the Currie Cup in 2012.
"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.
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NRU Vice-President Sarel Losper told Nampa yesterday that travelling and other related expenses for the Welwitschias are covered by a number of individuals in the absence of an official sponsor.
Despite the insufficient funds, Losper vowed that the team would continue to play in the Vodacom Cup in an effort to sharpen the players' skills, whilst exposing them to more competitive rugby against the South African teams.
Losper noted that Government, through the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), has channeled funding to the NRU, which is highly appreciated. He also thanked the country's largest mobile operator Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) for assisting rugby for the past six years.
"We were playing 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, and subsequent editions in 2003 and 2007. The country has also qualified for the 2011 IRB World Cup finals in 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),' he charged, adding that before independence, rugby was predominantly a white sport.
Losper further said that for the NRU to have had a black president in the name of 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 wishes to continue competing in the Vodacom tournament, including the Currie Cup in 2012.
"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.
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