THE ZIMBABWE Rugby Union (ZRU) held its annual meeting in the capital yesterday with financial and development issues taking centre stage.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
For the second successive year since the formation of the local rugby union 119 years ago, there were no elections for office bearers following the implementation of a new constitution in 2012 that stipulates a four-year term.
Attention was however drawn on the union’s financial situation, with the auditor’s report released by Patrick McCosh of Masterway Executive Consulting stating that ZRU was technically insolvent.
“The statement of financial position shows that liabilities exceed assets, and as such the Union is technically insolvent. Attention is drawn to a liability to Rainbow Towers in the sum of $53, 553 which is subject to ongoing litigation,” said McCosh in his report.
However, ZRU managed to minimise its expenses as they realised an excess income expenditure of $12 402 from their income and expenses for 2013.
According to the ZRU’s statement of income and expenditure for 2013, the union’s total income amounted to $278 048,9 against the union’s total expenses which amounted to $265 647,4.
Most of the union’s income was generated from the International Rugby Board (IRB)’s annual Development Grant ($119 728), other IRB income tickets ($44 895).
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The other income was derived from sponsorship for the national XVs rugby team the Sables and the National 7s team, the Cheetahs.
The Sables, who have struggled to attract meaningful sponsorship compared to their 7s counterparts ironically received $48 625 which is more than the $43 400 the Cheetahs received.
In his address during the AGM yesterday, ZRU president John Falkenberg said the union would work hard to ensure that national teams receive adequate support before representing the country.
“We will ensure that preparations and training for national team’s participation meet stringent requirements for athlete development and performance. We will allocate any and all resources available to us effectively and efficiently to ensure maximum potential is achieved.
“Zimbabwe Rugby is poised to achieve great things in 2014 and it will be necessary to consolidate and continually engage all stakeholders and interested parties positively.
“Together with a shared vision and a commitment to ensuring most important influence on any decision we make is in the best interest of rugby we can and will achieve our goals leading us on the road to Rugby World Cup 2015 by qualifying as African Champions, by qualifying for core status on the HSBC World 7s Series and the Under-20 Junior World Rugby Trophy.
2014 is a crucial year for Zimbabwe, who are aiming to qualify for their first Rugby World Cup in 22 years.
The Sables will take part in an African Zone final qualification tournament in Madagascar with the hosts, Namibia and Kenya. The winner of the tournament automatically seals Africa’s sole place (outside South Africa) at next year’s World Cup finals in England.
