Govt intervenes in rugby fracas

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa and Limba Mupetami



The sports ministry and the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) have recommended that the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) takes control of its affairs, without the interference of Namibia Rugby Limited (NRL).

This follows vicious infighting between the NRL and NRU over who exactly controls Namibian rugby.

The NRU is arguing that the NRL is trying to control the affairs of Namibian rugby, given the financial influence it has.

The NRL, which the business wing of Namibian rugby, is said to have influenced the appointment of coaches and management committees for the rugby national team.

Namibian Sun understands the two parties signed a contract that favoured the NRL, and which gave it more control over local rugby.

The squabbles between the two parties has resulted in the office of sports minister Erastus Uutoni and the NSC making recommendations that will suit the NRU.

Government has recommended that the NRU nullifies its old contract with the NRL, in order for the union to take their rightful place at the helm of Namibian rugby.

The NRL, however, has refused to terminate the contract without further consultations.

The NSC and the ministry have, however, maintained that the contract must be nullified and that a new contract must be drafted in favour of the NRU.

“The NSC and the ministry of sports only recognise the Namibia Rugby Union.

“In our last meeting, we also concluded that the NRL has more say in the matters of the national team and that must be changed.

“That is why the ministry and the NSC have recommended that the NRU takes back all its powers and be the authentic leaders of Namibian rugby,” NSC chairperson Freddy Mwiya said.

It was therefore also resolved that the NRU appoints the coach responsible for the selection of the Invitational XV team, scheduled to play against the Bulls Presidents Team this Saturday at the Hage Geingob Stadium.

The ministry has also called for a further probe into the appointment of two different coaches by the two bodies, which will take place after the game.

This is after the NRL appointed JP Nel as the coach of the Currie Cup team, replacing Welshman Lyn Jones who decided to quit the team.

The NRU on the other hand appointed Johan Diergaardt as the head coach of the Currie Cup team.

Based on the ministry’s recommendations, it appears as if Diergaardt is the rightful and authentic coach of the team, given the powers vested in the NRU by the line ministry.

Diergaardt insisted he was given the go-ahead to lead the troops in Saturday’s encounter. He, however, stepped away from the issues at hand and opted only to speak about the friendly match.

“I will be assisted by Nel and Engels. We have sent a list of possible names for approval to NRU and thus wait for approval. We want to expose and create opportunities for these players and to see the state of their fitness levels, as we prepare to tour in November.”

He, however, emphasised the post is not permanent and that he has not relinquished his job at Unam Rugby Club.

“Let’s start speaking positive about rugby. Let’s prepare the team for Saturday, let’s focus on the field and leave boardroom politics,” Diergaardt said.