Rugby feud resolved

THE Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) and the Concerned Group (CG) of clubs have agreed to bury the hatchet and work together for the good of rugby after holding a marathon meeting on Saturday.

In a joint press release on Monday, which was signed by NRU president Bradley Basson and CG spokesman Corrie Mensah, the CG undertook to withdraw the complaints against the NRU it had lodged with the Namibia Sports Commission.

The NRU and the NRU council (which is made up of the chairpersons of all Namibian rugby clubs) also undertook to work together through the implementation of proper communication protocols, and to implement a transformation policy.

“The sole purpose of the meeting, which lasted more than seven hours, was to deliberate on ways to resolve the current turmoil, which both parties agreed, if not resolved, could only result in an escalated adverse impact on the growth of rugby in Namibia,” the statement read.

It added that the meeting highlighted that the lack of proper communication between stakeholders was the key factor contributing to the prolonged stalemate between the two parties, and that a host of decisions were taken.

The CG agreed to withdraw its complaints lodged with the NSC, although it still viewed them as serious.

The CG, and by extension the council, acknowledged its role and responsibilities within the framework of the NRU constitution, while the NRU board also acknowledged their responsibility and accountability towards the council.

The parties agreed that the NRU constitution, its policy manual, as well as its rules and regulations were in need of reform, and that amendments would be proposed to avoid future ambiguities, and that the documents should be aligned.

The NRU board undertook to establish proper communication protocols to ensure that information is communicated to all stakeholders. It added that certain information ‘of a sensitive nature’ could be treated as confidential, but in these instances the board will appoint a sub-committee made up of members of the NRU board and council to deliberate on these issues.

The parties undertook to ensure that financial controls are strictly adhered to, and to implement policies that ensure sound governance.

The NRU board furthermore undertook to enforce zero tolerance for racism, discrimination, nepotism and victimization, and if such cases are reported, that they should be treated in a more serious manner than other transgressions.

The parties undertook to appoint a joint committee, comprising board and council members, to draft a transformation policy, and to implement it as a matter of urgency.

Mensah on Tuesday confirmed that the clubs would now also end their boycott of the NRU’s upcoming league competitions, as well as the national teams’ activities.

“We have withdrawn our complaints to the NSC, and undertaken to participate in all activities of the NRU. Hopefully, we can implement all these points raised to get the NRU up and running, and to have a healthy atmosphere in Namibian rugby,” he note.

According to Mensah, a lot of work still needs to be done to have proper communication channels in place.

“Communication is a very complex and difficult subject. The way the board has communicated in the past has left a lot to be desired – they think they are the supreme authority, but in fact it is the council. They also need to communicate all issues, including sensitive ones, with the council. In the past, a lot of things were withheld from us,” he stressed.

Regarding transformation, Mensah said it was nothing new, but that it needs to be implemented.

“Transformation is already inscribed in the NRU constitution – it undertakes to develop rugby in all of Namibia’s regions so that rugby can have a national character and be representative of Namibian society. So, it is enshrined in the constitution, but we do not live it out, and it needs to be implemented,” he reiterated.

The CEO of the NRU, Elizma Theron, said the union will try and improve the communication channels.

“In the past, members of the Concerned Group were always allowed to sit in board meetings, but they did not always do this, while their representatives did not always inform their clubs of decisions taken. But now the idea is that club representatives will hold meetings with their clubs to give information through.”

Regarding allegations of financial mismanagement, Theron said the NRU had nothing to hide.

“The accounting functions of the NRU have been outsourced, and the NRU has put in independent financial controls to ensure that fraud does not take place,” she said.

Mensah concluded that the marathon meeting had set a conducive environment for future deliberations.

“The spirit of the deliberations was very positive, and we are grateful for the opportunity afforded to us,” he added.