AFRICA RUGBY NEW LOOK EXECUTIVE
On Saturday, December 13th, the Confederation of African Rugby gathered in Marcoussis, France, for its 2014 General Assembly Meeting.
This year, the General Assembly took place in two parts with first of all an Extraordinary Assembly. In keeping with IRB policy which only last month was officially renamed World Rugby, CAR proposed a vote to decide on the new name of the association; Rugby Africa was unanimously voted. The new logo, as well as the new website were also presented.
During this Assembly, Mr. Abdelaziz Bougja incumbent president, was reelected by a large majority and will again be at the head of the association for the next four years. The newly elected executive committee will assist him to successfully carry out the association’s projects, a very stable committee indeed as it only boasts two new members.
The new executive committee members are:
David Gilbert (Botswana) Vice-president. Mervin Green (South Africa) General Secretary Marcellin Zahui (Ivory Coast) Treasurer Guédel N’Diaye (Senegal) Khaled Babbou (Tunisia) Richard Omwela (Kenya) Colleen de Jong (Zimbabwe new member) Bradley Basson (Namibia new member).
“I am honoured and humbled to represent Zimbabwe Rugby at this level and very grateful for the confidence shown in our ability and commitment to playing a major part in the sport on the continent. To have our (Zimbabwe) rugby community’s efforts and performance recognised in such a way is an honour. I look forward to representing my Country in this forum and to working with Rugby Afrique for the continued development and performance of the game in Africa.” said de Jong.
The second part of the meeting – the Ordinary General Assembly – was the opportunity to confirm several decisions and projects. First of all Rugby Africa welcomed new nations of the oval ball.
Lesotho, Guinea, Malawi and Sierra Leone were accepted as new members of the organization. Other federations had also applied for membership, but their applications will be reviewed at a later stage as more work is still needed right now.
With new countries on board, the number of competitions might increase and the number of players is definitely growing. Therefore, the executive committee decided to establish a medical committee which will officiate during all the African competitions and which will insure prevention measures are taken and players are properly prepared.
Big projects are underway with the signature of two partnership agreements between Rugby Africa and the South African Rugby Union, and between Rugby Africa and the French Federation of Rugby.
The said agreements are focusing on the training of unions’ executives who are ultimately in charge of taking rugby in Africa forward. They will therefore benefit from the skills and structures of their two older brothers. These agreements are a big step forward for rugby development and will no doubt bear their fruits in the near future.
To support its efforts, Rugby Africa is growing his team. Three regional development officers (Erick Situma, Charles Yapo, Mohamed Dermouni) thus far employed on a part-time basis only were officially appointed on a full-time basis starting 1st of January 2015 which will strengthen Rugby Africa’s assistance to all unions. At the same time Berthin Rafalimanana signed a part-time contract and will be responsible for the countries of the Indian Ocean area.
A very fruitful General Assembly which kick-started numerous projects carried by this new team.
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