A team from Rugby Africa, led by its President Mr Herbert Mensah, inspected ongoing works at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium in Accra.
The construction of the stadium began after an announcement of an agreement between all technical partners, including the government of Ghana and the African Union, to allow Ghana to host the Africa Games in 2024.
Originally scheduled for 2023, the tournament was postponed to March 2024. Other members of the inspection team include the Competitions Manager at Rugby Africa, Johnbosco Muamba, the President of the Burkina Faso Rugby Federation, Rolande Boro, and the President of the Togolese Rugby Federation, Bedembda Bedinade.
Mr Mensah said, “After extensive discussions with the Local Organising Committee of Ghana, headed by Dr Kwaku Asare, Rugby Africa would be participating in next year's Africa Games. This has been confirmed. So we are expecting all the rugby nations in Africa to be present and to participate.”
He also stated that the team would get into discussions with authorities on the suitability of the Accra rugby stadium and what is required for its construction.
Mr Mensah added, “Rugby Africa has great plans for the development of the game on the continent, one of which is to encourage countries and governments to build dedicated stadiums and parks for rugby matches and training at the same time. And there's no better way to kick it off than this one in Accra, Ghana.”
The infrastructure being built for the Africa Games aligns with Rugby Africa's competition structure, where regional and national infrastructure is critical.
Mr Mensah said, “We need to look at a regional basis to operate so we can have regional competitions per country and hopefully one day for clubs at the same time. Venues to play are obviously fundamental to that. The stadium in Accra would provide an excellent hub.”
Rugby Africa, formerly known as the African Confederation of Rugby, was founded in 1986 and is one of six regional associations that comprise World Rugby, the international organisation in charge of governing the Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens.
