Officials of the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) hosted executive members of Africa Rugby in a 3-day workshop from the 18th to 20th of January 2016 at the offices of the GRFU to observe and discuss the development of Rugby in Ghana.
The meeting was held as a result of the numerous meetings that the President of GRFU, Mr. Herbert Mensah had with executives of Africa Rugby to become Full Members of World Rugby in order to gain more support to develop and grow the Game of Rugby in the country.
It all commenced with a presentation of managerial structure by the GRFU to Africa Rugby representatives on the first day on which they had serious discussions. This was followed by presentations on Africa Rugby’s financial structures on the second day and a general inspection of facilities and resources on the third day.
Representatives of Africa Rugby at the workshop included Mr. Charles Yapo, Regional Development Officer - West of Africa Rugby, Mr. Marcellin Zahui, the Treasurer of Africa Rugby and Mr. David Baird-Smith, a Junior Development Officer of Africa Rugby.
According to Mr. Marcellin Zahui, Treasurer of Africa Rugby, they arrived in Ghana after the management of Africa Rugby has this year selected four countries namely Ghana, Togo, Benin and Cote d'Ivoire for critical investigation to see if they match the requirements of good governance and to support them to put the right systems in place.
Mr. Zahui emphasized that a country can only be a member of Africa Rugby when they have good governance and are able to manage the affairs of their union very well.
He commended the management of the GRFU for the work they have done and expressed gratitude to the President, Mr. Herbert Mensah, for putting up good managerial structures adding that they should keep on with the good work.
The treasurer cited training fields, good referees and competent management as the major challenges facing Africa Rugby as most of its members has difficulty in that aspects adding that Africa Rugby is doing its best to curb these problems.
“Now rugby in Africa has reached a higher level and therefore to be part of Africa Rugby you need to have competent management that can handle affairs of your union. That is the main reason we are in Ghana to see if they meet our requirements as part of the four countries Africa Rugby selected to become Full Members of World Rugby. I’m very happy with what I’ve seen after my observation and I applaud the management of the GRFU for their good work.” he said.
Mr. Herbert Mensah also had discussions recently with the President of Africa Rugby, Mr. Abdelaziz Bougja, and the Rugby Services Manager (Africa) of World Rugby, Mr. Jean-Luc Barthes, about the upgrading of Ghana Rugby to Full Member of World Rugby in order to further speed up the development of Rugby in Ghana.
Mr. Charles Yapo, Regional Development Officer - West of Africa Rugby said that their mission is to support Ghana Rugby with the development of Rugby in Ghana with specific reference to the World Rugby “Get Into Rugby” (GIR) youth development programme, women’s Rugby and training for coaches and referees.
“If Rugby becomes popular it is easier to attract more players and with that the quality of Rugby will improve.” he said.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Steve Noi, the Tournament Commissioner of the GRFU expressed gratitude to Africa Rugby for responding to the GRFU’s call for support in order to improve and speed up the development of Rugby in Ghana.
Mr. Noi said the meeting will hopefully bring more recognition to the GRFU at the international level to have sufficient support to mature the game in the country, adding that he is happy that the Africa Rugby representatives were impressed with the fact that Ghana has already taken tangible steps to Improve its financial and managerial structures with the adoption of the scrumIT Rugby Management System, Sage Pastel accounting system and appointment of auditors.
Executives Of Africa and Ghana Rugby Meet On Development Of The Game In Ghana
Executives Of Africa and Ghana Rugby Meet On Development Of The Game In Ghana
Executives Of Africa and Ghana Rugby Meet On Development Of The Game In Ghana
Executives Of Africa and Ghana Rugby Meet On Development Of The Game In Ghana
Executives Of Africa and Ghana Rugby Meet On Development Of The Game In Ghana
Executives Of Africa and Ghana Rugby Meet On Development Of The Game In Ghana
Executives Of Africa and Ghana Rugby Meet On Development Of The Game In Ghana
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