BRU earns BNSC wrath over CAR tournament
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday June 12, 2014 13:15
The union has landed in trouble for hosting the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Six-Nations tourney for the second year in a row, contrary to BNSC policy that requires a four-year hiatus, a member of the tournament’s Local Organising Committee, Bob Lekan told a press conference yesterday.
He said BRU was unable to follow the policy because they were given the mandate to host the tournament by CAR. He said BRU need about P1 million to successfully host the tournament.
“International Rugby Board (IRB) and CAR have assisted BRU with P510,000 and the shortfall was to be handled by BNSC. Since we are not travelling, we had proposed to the BNSC to be given funds from our continental vote but they did not respond,” he said.
Lekan said the only communication they received from BNSC was in May when they were instructed to cancel preparations for the tournament.
He said this is impossible because preparations are at an advanced stage. Lekan argued that it is surprising that the policy only applies to rugby.
He stated that Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) was not given four years to host Africa Youth Games or Botswana Football Association (BFA) to stage COSAFA Cup.
He said that BNSC has even refused to lend them vehicles to be used during the tournament though BRU made a booking last year. He accused unnamed people for sabotaging rugby.
The CAR tournament kicks off on Sunday with Nigeria, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Impala Rustenburg from South Africa taking part. Lekan said they expect to finalise an agreement with Botswana Television to broadcast some of the matches.
Meanwhile, CAR representative, Dave Gilbert has said they have to make sure that the tournament takes place.
He told the media that the tournament is for countries in Group 1C and the winner will be promoted to Group 1B next year. Gilbert said a new formula of promoting teams will be introduced next year.
He said when a country pulls out of the tournament at the last minute, it disrupts the programme. That is why Impala Rustenburg from South Africa has been invited to take part in the tournament after Morocco pulled out.
Players that have been selected to represent Botswana in the competition are: Tyrone Warburton, Thato Maifala, Kalego Mohutsiwa, Eddie Ernest (captain), Ngaka Lempaletse, Stefan Van Zyl, Sean Landsberg, Ketshidile Matananga, Steven Parry, Tshoganetso Katse, Biki Mawela, Hugo Botha, Tefho Keothepile, Kagiso Molefhi, Eddie Oosthuizen, Thato Ndovi, Frank Maposa, Orabile Chiche, Matt Gibson, Molibi Maphanyane, Marty Mohutsiwa, Jeremy Babbage, Sean Bester and Damelin Motlogelwa. Coach: Ivor Greaves.