08 Jul 2013

Botswana Rugby Union president Bob Lekan has decried the decline in participation of elite players at national level activities leading to poor performance of national teams.

Addressing BRU affiliates in Tlokweng over the weekend, Lekan said though the union has realised a sharp increase in participation at age grade level, non-participation of more experienced players at club and national teams was a setback of the union achievements realised over the years.

“It is sad to see number of clubs going down and we have to address this issue as a team and not just union excecative. Active participation of elite players at national level helps the union in planning for international events and gives the coaches opportunity to choose from a bigger and better pool. I am emphasising this point of elite players because of what transpired this year where we saw a substantial number of key player for the senior national team taking a decision to hang their boots,” he said.

The president said the senior national team that played in 2013 was different from the one that won the 1C Africa Championship last year in Gaborone and with lack of experienced players this had a negative effect in the performance of the team this year.

“I wish to kindly request you to have a discussion with your players at club level with the view of addressing the attrition the union is experiencing. If there is anything that the union is required to do in order to help in addressing this issue, please let us know. I hope and trust that working together can and will give us a lasting solution to this problem,” Lekan said.

The president however commended rugby administrators and stakeholders for their tireless efforts to develop and take sport to better heights leading to the attainment of most of the union goals for the year 2013.

 “I want to recognise and applaud every sport administrator and player who has been contributing towards the attainment of the union goals of increasing competitiveness of our sport both on and off the field. Supporters both financial and spiritual and also reporters and journalists who have been sharing rugby news with the general public,” he said.

Reacting to the president’s concerns some delegates said players decided to retire from active sport because of late payments of players’ incentives in allowances and appearances which they say sometimes takes a year to be paid citing the June 2012 tournament where players are still to receive their national duties dues.

Affiliates also cited the insurance of players during national team duties saying players continue to nurse injuries because of ‘strict’ conditions of the insurance leading to more experienced players to lose interest in the sport.

They said 24hrs condition set as a dead line for reporting injury for one to be covered by the insurance needed review because Rugby as a contact sport most injuries develop or become visible later in the life of players.

Some delegates also decried selection criteria by the national teams coaches as some times the selected players will be no-nationals based from South Africa despite abundance of home grown players.ENDS