Sports history was made in Accra over the past week when the game of rugby debuted as a competitive sport at the 13th edition of the African Games. The African Games, owned by the African Union, were held over the past two weeks in Ghana’s capital city, where sevens rugby participated for the first time. Seven Men’s teams and four Women’s teams in total participated in the 3-day fixtures.
South Africa, the rugby world champions did not take part in the event, while Kenya sent a youthful squad to the tournament.
Speaking after presenting medals to the winning teams at the University of Ghana rugby stadium, President of Rugby Africa Herbert Mensah praised all the teams for their participation and congratulated the winners for their great sportsmanship while commending the AU for the inclusion of Rugby for the first time in the Africa games.
World Rugby’s mission statement is to grow the sport globally. While most of the attention is focused on Europe, South America, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, the biggest growth area is in the African continent, home to over a billion people.
Courtesy Call On President Of Ghana
Earlier in the week ahead of the rugby fixtures, a Rugby Africa and World Rugby contingent paid a courtesy call on the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo. The officials included Jurie Roux, Rugby Africa General Secretary, Carolie Van Den Berg, regional partnerships manager for Africa at World Rugby as well as Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa. The team’s visit followed their inspection of the newly constructed rugby stadium at the University of Ghana. They commended the Ghanaian President and his government for demonstrating their commitment to the development of rugby with such world-class infrastructure.
World Class Rugby Stadium In Ghana Must Be Put To Use
Herbert Mensah called for Ghana to be considered to host rugby competitions from both world and African rugby. He said the fact that Ghana is the only country in the West Africa sub-region with a dedicated world-class rugby stadium is a strong argument to be made for the country to host world rugby competitions in the present future.
”As President of Rugby Africa and a member of the council of World Rugby, I am urging serious consideration of Ghana as a venue for world rugby and Rugby Africa competitions. With the top-notch facility at the University of Ghana, we possess the facilities for hosting prestigious rugby competitions” Mensah said at a press conference in Accra. Herbert Mensah also commended the Government of Ghana for its investments in sports infrastructure, emphasizing that the construction of a rugby stadium is their demonstrable dedication to the development of rugby in Ghana.
Although South Africa did not present a rugby team at the 13th African games, the country’s most celebrated Sevens specialist Seabelo Senatla was in Accra as part of Ghana’s coaching team. Senatla was invited to consult with the host nation. Perhaps, he was rewarded when Ghana beat the Zimbabwean team. Senatla described Ghana’s triumph over Zimbabwe as ‘stunning’.
WINNERS MEN:
GOLD – UGANDA
SILVER – ZIMBABWE
BRONZE – KENYA
Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Tunisia, and Ghana joined Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe to produce stellar rugby performances in a special and historic rugby week in Accra between March 19 – 21 2024.
Uganda men’s and women’s sevens teams won every single one of their games and deservedly took home gold medals in pump and pageantry.
WINNERS WOMEN:
GOLD – UGANDA
SILVER – MADAGASCAR
BRONZE – TUNISIA
