SPORT, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa yesterday pledged to source funding for the national rugby team, the Sables, should they win their 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final playoff against Russia. DANIEL NHAKANISO
The Sables play Russia in Siberia on August 2, needing nothing less than a win to reach the final qualification playoff where the winner will qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup in England.
Speaking after meeting with Zimbabwe Rugby Union leadership, players and some members of the technical staff, Langa wished the team well ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier.
Langa, whose ministry has been criticised for failing to secure support for national teams, said government recognised the efforts of the Sables in putting the country on the world map in sport.
“You are one sport that has thrived with your own resources and from the corporate world and that which you would have raised for yourselves. I’m a quite aware that government should play a role in terms of giving you some financial support, but unfortunately you would agree with me, that our economic status now in the country is not too good.
“I’m told that if you beat Russia you will still have to beat another country to make sure that you qualify for the World Cup. I’m certain that Zimbabwe will win. If you win in Russia I will make sure that I do my best to find some resources for you. I will even go to his Excellency (President Mugabe) to get some funding,” Langa said.
The Sables were forced to travel to Madagascar for the African Rugby World Cup qualifiers without adequate preparations due to lack of funding.
In contrast, Kenya, whom they managed to easily beat, had received $8 million from their government to prepare for the same qualifiers.
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Meanwhile, Sports and Recreation Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena was also full of praises for ZRU saying they had managed to put the sport first ahead of personal differences.
“As SRC we are happy with the manner in which ZRU have been running their affairs, particularly from a corporate governance point of view. Of course there has been some discord here which people have worked to put behind them. We hope they will consolidate that success in the administration domain to success on the field of play,” he said.
ZRU were represented at the meeting by their president John Falkenberg, vice-president Colleen de Jong and director of rugby Liam Middleton.
Sables skipper Daniel Hondo and his deputy Jacques Leitao were also in attendance together with some members of the technical staff, assistant coach Cyprian Mandenge and team manager Brighton Chivandire.
