History was made in Accra when rugby made its debut as a competitive sport at the 13th edition of the African Games, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The African Games, which the African Union owns, was held over the past two weeks in Ghana’s capital city, where sevens rugby debuted.
South Africa were not part of the event due to Olympic qualification, while Kenya sent a youthful squad to the tournament.
Uganda’s men and women lit up the tournament, claiming a gold medal double by going unbeaten through the three-day event.
Writing on Keo.co.za after attending the gold medal presentation at the University of Ghana, Keohane hailed the tournament for continuing the growth of rugby in Africa.
“World Rugby’s mission statement is to grow the sport globally and 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.
“The facility at the University of Ghana is world class – and it is a credit to the organizers.
“South Africa’s Sevens specialists may not have been in Accra, but 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 and his reward was to experience Ghana beat Zimbabwe. The latter would claim the silver, but Senatla described Ghana’s triumph as ‘stunning’.
“I’ve reported on every one of rugby’s top 20 countries and some outside of the top 20, but to be watching Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Fasu, Madagascar and Tunisia somehow seemed extra special in this historic rugby week in Accra.”
Photo: Lauren Fredericks
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
