President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, concluded a two-week tour across South Africa, Uganda, and Côte d’Ivoire, advocating for increased funding and government support for rugby development across the continent.
“Sports is big business, and governments are recognizing its potential. Our goal is to raise funds, strengthen cooperation with governments, and launch regional tournaments,” said Mensah.
He emphasized that engaging five to six countries in each region would help secure the necessary investment to grow the sport.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Mensah met with Minister of Sports, Honourable Adjé Silas Metch, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rugby development.
He also highlighted the country’s $1 billion investment in sports infrastructure ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The visit concluded with Mensah receiving a special Ivorian Olympic Award for his contributions to African rugby.
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At the Finance in Common Summit in South Africa, Mensah celebrated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the French Rugby Federation (FFR), the French Development Agency (AFD), and Expertise France. The agreement formalized the CAP Rugby project, an initiative using rugby for social inclusion and development in Africa and the Pacific.
In Uganda, Mensah met with Sports Minister Honourable Peter Ogwang and Uganda Rugby Union leaders to discuss preparations for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, which will serve as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Uganda’s investment in sports infrastructure aims to position the country as a key player in African rugby.
“We need to change the attitude towards sports in Africa. Investing now will bring rewards in the future,” Mensah stated, urging continued financial support for the sport’s growth across the continent.
