…spurred by Tri-Nations Tour success
WINDHOEK – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), Sybrand de Beer yesterday revealed that the NRU would soon engage in serious discussions with Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda following the successful conclusion of the Windhoek Draught Tri-Nations Tournament.
The quartet will discuss the possibility of formulating the recently concluded annual Windhoek Draught Tri-Nations Tournament into a Four-Nations African Rugby Series.
De Beer emphasized that the rationale behind the proposed expansion of the tourney is to increase the number of test matches for participants to at least six matches, while the venture is likely to increase the volume of international competitions for Africa’s top players through high profile and well-organized events such as the Windhoek Draught Tri-Nations Tournament. Besides formulating the tourney into a Four-Nations African Rugby Series, De Beer said the technical staff of all participating teams would come together and select an African All Star team.
He added that the Invitational All Star team would be provided with tough games against the world’s best rugby playing nations such as Australia and Argentina among others with the ultimate aim to give the players the much needed exposure, while playing quality rugby at the highest level against the best.
“African rugby has improved tremendously over the past few years, but to ensure we have continuity in our quest to take rugby to the next level, we have to come up with new initiatives such the proposed Four-Nations African Rugby Series and an African All Stars team.
It’s the only way African rugby can improve, but in order to realize this dream, new partners must step on board and get fully behind such initiatives through financial support,’’ said De Beer.
De Beer also took the opportunity to thank Namibia Breweries for making the recent Tri-Nations Tournament a huge success through its Windhoek Draught beer brand and also heaped praise on all local rugby fans, who came out in large numbers to show their support to the teams. He also lauded other sponsors who supported the NRU in various ways and ensuring the visiting teams were properly taken care of while the tourney itself was a resounding success.
By Otniel Hembapu