Sports Editor
DESPITE the fact that most contact sports in the country remain suspended, Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) remain optimistic the game will bounce back soon, and are already planning a tri-nation tournament that will mark the senior national team (Sables’) return to action.
Rugby, just like all major sporting disciplines in the country and across the globe, was a victim of the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
The game was suspended as part of means to curb the spread of the virus.
Although rugby has resumed in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa, Government and local health experts are cautiously following the necessary protocols that would guarantee its safe return.
In South Africa, there will be three major events starting this weekend under the new normal. The game’s indefinite suspension forced the ZRU to cancel all programmes they had lined up for 2020.
However, the gradual relaxation of lockdown measures, including significant milestones made in containing the virus, has given a glimmer of hope that the suspension might soon be lifted.
ZRU president Aaron Jani said a tri-nation tourney that would involve Zambia and South Africa is being mooted.
Before the disruption caused by Covid-19, the Sables benefited from the SuperSport Challenge tournament in South Africa, from where coach Brendon Dawson laid the foundation for their Africa Cup campaign.
Jani believes that with only three months remaining to the end of the year, they can still salvage some action.
Although modalities of the tri-nation are being finalised, ZRU plan to get Dawson and his men ready for the tournament.
Rugby Africa has since pledged support to federations to help kick-start the game.
“A minimum three weeks notification to our players will be required. This is to ensure that they can get some fitness and coaching to avoid preventable injuries and ensure competitiveness.
“Rugby Africa has offered to financially support its federations in the organisation of cross-border matches or tournaments when and where the situation permits in 2020.
“Unfortunately, land borders in Africa are still mostly closed and ministerial authorisations to resume competition have not yet been issued,’’ Jani said.
He added that their North African counterparts Algeria and Tunisia are set to feature in a similar tournament scheduled for France at the end of November.
“One tournament is being planned in France from November 23 to November 29, which will cover four teams — Algeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.
“Each team will play two games, but the games will not be considered for ranking purposes. Rugby Africa will assist with costs, but teams must pay a nominal participation fee and find their way to France.
“On the Southern side, we are looking at a similar arrangement and possibly have it in South Africa. Zambia and Zimbabwe have already expressed interest in such a tournament. We are still speaking to the other countries to assess the level of interest.’’
The pandemic, Jani added, had left many rugby federations on the continent poorer.
“Covid-19 has decimated the balance sheets of most rugby organisations and raising airfares will definitely be a challenge.
“These tournaments can only take place provided airfares can be raised, necessary permissions granted and Covid-19 protocols being observed as per hosting country, as well as the permission from World Rugby for the games to proceed,’’ said Jani.
Apart from the Sables, the ZRU, which have already written to Government through the Sports and Recreation Commission, are also hoping to squeeze in a Sevens League before the year ends — provided Government green-lights resumption of the sport.
“We are waiting for further communication from the SRC. We wrote a letter to them seeking permission to restart the games.
“We are hoping that the green light will come and we will resume our league games as well as start the Sevens League.
“We will have a couple of approaches to finish the outstanding leagues, as well as start our Sevens leagues.
“Maybe we will adopt a mini-tournament approach. We will definitely see what strategy we will take. But we are keen to make a rebound,’’ ZRU chief executive Sifiso Made said.