Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) president Corrie Mensah, who along with fellow board members tendered their resignations yesterday, said their decision to step down was in the best interest of the local game, as any other move contrary to such a decision would have been catastrophic to the union.

The board’s unceremonious decision to part ways with the union was triggered by a planned motion of no confidence in the current leadership by some NRU member clubs, who submitted the motion as an agenda item for the union’s upcoming annual general meeting slated for 9 April. 

Had the clubs succeeded in removing the board through a motion of no confidence at next month’s annual general meeting, Mensah yesterday explained that such a move would have been catastrophic for the union’s stability and for Namibia’s 2023 World Cup ambitions.

Mensah, a veteran rugby administrator, added that not only will the resultant leadership vacuum at the NRU create a dent in the country’s ongoing 2023 World Cup qualification bid, but would have also severely affected the country’s other national teams, including the women and junior sides as well as the various development programmes currently being rolled out.

“A vacuum will be created if there is no board in place during this crucial period, and any decision-making requiring governance intervention would be curtailed. This [their hasty removal] would impact the logistical and financial preparations required for the final qualification round of the 2023 World Cup…although we are of the opinion that it is unlikely for the motion to pass the two-thirds majority vote at the coming annual general meeting, the board has no intentions to embark on a campaign to counter the motion, and would therefore opt to step down for the benefit of the sport, its reputation and the athletes, who will be impacted further should disputes arise from the motion,” said Mensah in a statement.

He continued: “The board would like to avoid a similar situation presently being experienced in other sport codes concerning the division in leadership. Our decision not to contest is also attributed to the damage caused to the board’s reputation and trust. As a result, we believe that it would not be conducive for the board to continue under these conditions of mistrust and division as there will be no common ground.”

- ohembapu@nepc.com.na