Irish Retains Rugby Presidency
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday March 2, 2020 14:38
The new Board has been given a four-year mandate.
Irish contested for the position against his former vice president-administration, Bob Lekan. He won the race by 15 votes to six.
The secretary general position was filled by former BRU treasurer, Boitshoko Tsiane after beating the challenger, Osi Kopano by 15 votes to six.
Other positions, vice president-administration and technical were unopposed.
Former disciplinary committee chairperson, Farid Pandor is the new vice president responsible for administration. Steven Williams replaced Tosca Segaise as vice president- technical.
There were no elections for additional members after Kopano withdrew from the race, leaving the five candidates who were needed.
The additional members are: Elijah Kokoro, Segaise, Feddy Mutenheri, Simon Kanaimba and Lere Killer. Naledi Dikgomo-Goulden is the women’s representative while Gobona Tobedza is the treasurer.
Speaking to Monitor Sport, Irish said his victory was an indication that the rugby community appreciated his leadership.
“It was a comfortable win and my role now is to deliver on what we discussed.
There are four things that we should start working on immediately. Communication is key, governance and relationships with external parties exist. We now have to mend relations with our clubs,” he said.
Irish said the idea of BRU board owning and running rugby was incorrect.
He said they needed to realise that clubs and schools owned and ran rugby.
He also said the leadership does not hide anything from the affiliates and anybody who wants to check on them could do that.
Regarding a clean financial report that was presented, Irish said it was the hard work that was put by Tsiane.
“He put in a lot of hard work, scratched where people did not want him to scratch.
We have a new treasurer and I do not thing the standard would go down in the next four years,” Irish said.
For his part, Lekan said the affiliates have spoken.
“I accept the outcome of the elections. If they do not buy in on your proposal, this is the result that you get. I hope that the new leadership takes rugby forward,” he said.
Lekan said the previous Board was well blended and had people who had served in sport before.
“It does not make sense to bring in new people who do not bring anything useful.
I just hope that there is a working relationship between the new committee members so that affiliates could benefit,” he added.
Lekan said the election losers must find it in themselves to also assist the new Board.