As the 2024 Rugby Africa commences this Saturday, July 20 to Saturday, July 28 in Kampala, Uganda, the President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, releases message expressing gratitude and excitement for the tournament:
As the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup approaches, it is important to note that the tournament is the pinnacle of Rugby Africa’s activities. The tournament serves as the precursor to the 2025 Rugby World Cup qualification, with Namibia consistently securing qualification for the Rugby World Cup. The 2024 Rugby Africa Cup, hosted by Uganda, will see the top eight ranked teams compete, determining future rankings and qualifications.
The participating nations are taking this tournament very seriously. Established teams such as Namibia, Kenya, Algeria, Zimbabwe and the host nation Uganda are prepared and eager to compete. Previous 1995 Rugby World Cup participants Cote d’Ivoire, along with rising nations such as Burkina Faso and Senegal, are ready and prepared for this prestigious event.
As the President of Rugby Africa, the new competition format excites me deeply. Coming into office in 2023, Rugby Africa saw the need to change the competition structure. This was evident in Mauritius during the 2024 Africa Mens Sevens Tournament in June, where we had participation from South Africa, World Champions. We are very proud of South Africa, four-time World Champions of the Rugby World Cup. It is crucial that the world’s top teams continue to participate in major competitions. The success of Uganda, Champions of the 2024 Africa Mens Sevens Tournament, along with Madagascar, points to a promising future. With some teams sending development squads due to scheduling conflicts, such as Kenya’s Women’s Team competing in the Challenger Series, Kenya performed admirably as expected.
The 2024 Rugby Africa Cup will feature teams at full strength, which is an important indicator. Global rugby is evolving, and in the next two years, the quality of results from Africa will elevate rugby across the continent to a new level. This includes formats such as the Nations Cup and Challenger Series, which are proudly incorporating more African nations. We have also seen the qualification of Madagascar for various tournaments, with the participation of Uganda and Madagascar in the Challenger Series, this progression is exciting for us all.
Upon taking office last year, I emphasized the need to increase our budget to grow rugby on the continent. We can only achieve this by aligning ourselves with global sports practices. Coming from a football background, I understand the importance of financial self-sufficiency. In football, teams often pay their own way to major tournaments, with host countries covering local costs. Rugby Africa needs to reduce financial pressures and adapt a similar model.COVID-19 has led to a significant rise in airline and accommodation costs, limiting funding for smaller nations to participate in continental fixtures.
I extend my gratitude to the Minister of Sports in Uganda, Peter Ogwang, and the President of the Uganda Rugby Union, Godwin Kayangwe, for their extraordinary commitment to hosting the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup. Uganda’s commitment to hosting this event is beyond exceptional, allowing the top eight teams to compete. However, the costs are still high, and we need to change the structure to make it more sustainable. Fortunately, from 2023 to 2024, we have received a small increment from World Rugby, allowing us to consider expanding participation from 4 to 16 teams.
We have seen an increase in cross-border rugby tournaments in Southern Africa, with countries like Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, and Mozambique participating. Plans are underway in East Africa for Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, and cross-border competitions involving Zimbabwe and Zambia. Significant investments are also being made from Tunisia to Uganda, with commitments from Togo, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Niger. North African countries such as Morroco are entering the Arab Sevens Cup, showcasing rugby’s growth across the continent.
This all begins with sacrifices made by countries like Uganda, and this is what excites me from a business perspective.
I would like to thank the President of the Uganda Rugby Union, Godwin Kayangwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Rugby Union, Isaac Lutwama Nsubuga, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Fudribo, the Uganda Rugby Union team and the extraordinary staff of Rugby Africa. An additional special thanks to the Tournament Director JohnBosco Rumba, the Referee Manager, Mudiwa Mundawarara and those in charge of player welfare. The collective efforts of all promise to ensure that the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup will set precedence for years to come.
