23 Jun 2014

Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) affiliates have been commended for working tirelessly in unleashing young talent.

Speaking at the Ordinary General Meeting on Friday June 20, BRU vice president, Thusego Segaise said clubs had over time developed young athletes who would benefit rugby in future. The vice president said children’s rugby was also making strides adding that they want to vigorously spread the game in primary school in conjunction with Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA).

Last year, he said senior schools played contact rugby for the first time in the history of BRU adding that junior school also had started playing contact rugby. “That is a highly commendable effort,” he said. He said yet again what was commendable was the fact that more women were coming on board by showing interest in the sport.

He further told affiliates about the Africa 1C tournament that was hosted by Botswana, saying there was no doubt that the hosting would raise Botswana profile. On other issues, he said BRU president Elijah Jones had meetings with two companies who had shown interest in assisting the BRU in developing a national playing field.

The South African company, he said estimated costs to build the establishment which would accommodate many different sporting codes would cost in the region of P 500 million.

However, the delegates were informed that Botswana company which had proposed to assist had yet to submit a cost and were working on it. ‘The difficulty as you all know is raising funds to build such an establishment. This mission is ongoing and we will pursue all avenues to one day have our own National playing field,” he said.

Segaise further urged affiliates to ensure that all coaches and players at club level had at least completed laws of the game, first aid and rugby ready course as a way of complying with the world governing and law-making body for the game, International Rugby Board.

BRU secretary general, Jerome Alabu, said the union was thin on the ground in terms of match officials, and he encouraged retired players and other interested parties to help in that area. “We need more people to get in the middle of the ground to blow whistle, this is an important area of the game,” he said. ENDS