Disaster-prone Japan a worry
NRU president Corrie Mensah president says they will engage with the Japanese embassy in due course in order to prepare local players travelling to the Rugby World Cup in the disaster-prone nation.
Outspoken Namibia Rugby Union president Corrie Mensah says he is worried about the safety of Namibian players travelling to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, slated for 20 September to 2 November.
Mensah, who has never been to Japan, said the NRU plans on covering all aspects before they head out to compete at the global rugby spectacle.
Japan is notorious for earthquakes and typhoons and concerns are rife about player safety.
Namibian Sun wanted to know what precautions rugby administrators are taking to ensure peace of mind for the players, who are busy training on the terms of NRU business wing, Namibia Rugby Limited (NRL), even though they are yet to sign any contracts.
“We will engage the Japanese embassy to brief us or to assist us with courses, as well as additional insurance for the players.
“We will do this in order to put all the family members of the travelling squad at ease.
“We have a good relationship with the people at the embassy and will definitely cover all aspects,” Mensah emphasised.
Japan is especially vulnerable to extreme weather in September, when the tournament will be in full swing.
Last year a typhoon knocked out Osaka Airport and another lashed the whole country, forcing authorities to take the highly unusual step of cancelling public transport in Tokyo.
Also during September last year, a strong earthquake rocked the northern island of Hokkaido, killing dozens and knocking out power.
When interviewed by international media recently, World Cup director Alan Gilpin opened up about the contingency plans that are being put in place over the next six months, adding that the organisers needed to plan for eventualities such as losing a stadium or a major transport hub at the tournament’s height.
Unresolved issues
Regarding the unresolved saga between the NRU and NRL, Mensah said there are minor issues that need to be ironed out, and when that happens, all stakeholders will be informed about the way forward.
The two entities have been at loggerheads over who should be running the country’s rugby affairs.
The NRU under Mensah, according to a source, has threatened not to sign off on the players travelling to Japan, if they are not given full control over Namibia’s rugby affairs.
This resulted in World Rugby stepping in to assess the situation, as they give performance grants to NRL.
A World Rugby delegation sent to the country has given its recommendations and there is currently communication taking place between the NRU and the global body on the way forward.
The source also said that Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), which sponsors the national side, threatened to pull the plug if the NRU is given control over the nation’s rugby affairs.
When asked last year if any of this was true Ian Stevenson, NBL’s manager for events and sponsorships, said there are discussions taking place between World Rugby, the NRU, NRL, the players and sponsors to find the best way forward to prepare for the World Cup in Japan.
Once this has been determined, it will be shared.”
When asked yesterday if any consensus was reached, NBL responded by saying there were no developments at this stage.
“I promise to let you know once there is more information to share,” said Roux-ché Loux, spokesperson for the Ohlthaver & List Group, which owns NBL.
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Mensah, who has never been to Japan, said the NRU plans on covering all aspects before they head out to compete at the global rugby spectacle.
Japan is notorious for earthquakes and typhoons and concerns are rife about player safety.
Namibian Sun wanted to know what precautions rugby administrators are taking to ensure peace of mind for the players, who are busy training on the terms of NRU business wing, Namibia Rugby Limited (NRL), even though they are yet to sign any contracts.
“We will engage the Japanese embassy to brief us or to assist us with courses, as well as additional insurance for the players.
“We will do this in order to put all the family members of the travelling squad at ease.
“We have a good relationship with the people at the embassy and will definitely cover all aspects,” Mensah emphasised.
Japan is especially vulnerable to extreme weather in September, when the tournament will be in full swing.
Last year a typhoon knocked out Osaka Airport and another lashed the whole country, forcing authorities to take the highly unusual step of cancelling public transport in Tokyo.
Also during September last year, a strong earthquake rocked the northern island of Hokkaido, killing dozens and knocking out power.
When interviewed by international media recently, World Cup director Alan Gilpin opened up about the contingency plans that are being put in place over the next six months, adding that the organisers needed to plan for eventualities such as losing a stadium or a major transport hub at the tournament’s height.
Unresolved issues
Regarding the unresolved saga between the NRU and NRL, Mensah said there are minor issues that need to be ironed out, and when that happens, all stakeholders will be informed about the way forward.
The two entities have been at loggerheads over who should be running the country’s rugby affairs.
The NRU under Mensah, according to a source, has threatened not to sign off on the players travelling to Japan, if they are not given full control over Namibia’s rugby affairs.
This resulted in World Rugby stepping in to assess the situation, as they give performance grants to NRL.
A World Rugby delegation sent to the country has given its recommendations and there is currently communication taking place between the NRU and the global body on the way forward.
The source also said that Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), which sponsors the national side, threatened to pull the plug if the NRU is given control over the nation’s rugby affairs.
When asked last year if any of this was true Ian Stevenson, NBL’s manager for events and sponsorships, said there are discussions taking place between World Rugby, the NRU, NRL, the players and sponsors to find the best way forward to prepare for the World Cup in Japan.
Once this has been determined, it will be shared.”
When asked yesterday if any consensus was reached, NBL responded by saying there were no developments at this stage.
“I promise to let you know once there is more information to share,” said Roux-ché Loux, spokesperson for the Ohlthaver & List Group, which owns NBL.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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