Candid talks expected at rugby meet
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday November 23, 2017 13:14
It remains to be seen if the executive committee will emerge from the meeting unscathed, as the Union prepares for next February’s annual general meeting (AGM).
It has been a tough year for the BRU, from disciplinary issues on and off the pitch, poor showing by The Vultures, to boardroom shenanigans by the BRU executive committee. Early this year, the executive committee could not present a financial report at the AGM, citing late submission by the auditors. Affiliates will be keen to see whether the report will be finally presented and adopted.
BRU treasurer, Vincent Mashaya told Mmegi Sport that he is ready to present the financial report. He said they had an opportunity to analyse the report as accountants should do.
Meanwhile, BRU secretary general, Ernest Mantsi said the OGM is meant to update the affiliates on the activities of the year. Regarding the league sponsorship, Mantsi said they had a potential sponsor who decided to pull out at the last minute.
“We do not know what went wrong with the sponsor that we had identified. We were not given valid reasons as to what went wrong. We only had a few individuals who assisted the national team,” he said.
Mantsi said he could not put a time frame on how long it is going to take the union to clinch a deal with a sponsor. He said their aim is to conclude negotiations in time for the start of the new season in 2018. He said they are eyeing a long-term agreement.
The Vultures have remained in 1B group for the past three years, and this year they avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth.
“The 15’s team have not moved since 2015. We want to hold on to 1B but the idea is to move up to 1A. The advantage of 1A is that it is the stage of World Cup qualifiers,” Mantsi said.
He said they intend to engage foreign experts who could come and empower both coaches and players. Mantsi said 2017 saw quiet a number of incidents of indiscipline. He said this calls for clubs managers to improve the way they manage their clubs. He said the Union is in the process of tightening screws around the laws of the game.