On the eve of the 10th edition of the Rugby World Cup, held in France from September 8 to October 28, the new president of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah is developing for RFI his vision for the future of the discipline on the continent. The Ghanaian businessman, who succeeded Tunisian Khaled Babbou in March, aspires to attract young Africans in the footsteps of South African Siya Kolisi.
Herbert Mensah, what is your personal history with rugby? Were you a player or are you just a fan?
Rugby is life. Yes, I played rugby: at school, at university. I played in the provincial championship, when it still existed in England, and I also played in southern Africa for Mashonaland in Zimbabwe. And I also played an international match, my only selection was against Italy. So rugby has been in my blood since I was six.
One of the keys to developing the sport is money. How do you plan to raise funds and find investors attracted to African rugby?
My mantra for several decades, and especially now that we have been president for several months, is that sport is a very lucrative business. If you understand this, you become aware that a new dynamic is necessary. Especially in the lifestyle of athletes and in their nutrition. For example, by telling yourself that in Africa, you don’t need the energy drinks that come from Europe. You can get the necessary carbohydrate with the yam or enough iron with the spinach. And then looking at the wealth of Africa which is the most beautiful continent on Earth, you can see that the greatest sportsmen are Africans or, even here in France, from an African heritage. So we have to find a way to bring investment and infrastructure back to our continent.
In Africa, many sports come before rugby. How do you plan to convince a small child in West Africa with a rugby ball?
To be supported, investments are needed. These investments start with the government. I had the chance thanks to good friends to have appointments with the African Union, members of governments, to place rugby at the heart of the school curriculum in the first place. We have been pushing in the last few months that I have been President to get countries to start developing rugby pitches. Often, big daddies are not welcome on the football fields because people are afraid that they will slaughter them. But for example, the government of Kenya has allocated land for the national team and this is one of the great countries. Even in Ghana, we now have our first dedicated rugby ground for the All Africa Games next year.
So in investing, you see people saying to themselves ” Oh yes, we can play rugby! You can practice different sports! »
This year, two nations will represent Africa at the World Cup – defending champions South Africa and Namibia – but there is a huge gap between the two. How to reduce it?
Today, a country in the favorites’ hat plays 8, 10, 12 test matches a year. On our side, in Africa, we play one match a year perhaps, or even one every two years. Disparities create gaps. We ask our partners to review the direction rugby is taking today and the way they invest in Africa to ensure that we can move forward step by step in allowing our best nations to play at least 6 to 8 matches per year.
In your opinion, what are the chances of seeing South Africa retain their title on French soil?
You know, in sports, it’s the fan who hopes to win every time. The realist knows that is not possible. I think this World Cup will be extraordinary and I have to congratulate France because I have seen the development of rugby in France lately.
They are world champions in the under 20s. Afterwards, South Africa are defending champions, but injuries, particularly to number 10 Handré Pollard and 3 or 4 other players, mean that we will enter the tournament with a slightly reduced squad. It’s a bit like France losing Dupont, it quickly becomes a problem.
Siya Kolisi has recovered for the World Cup after his injury. It is obviously the captain of the last team to have lifted the trophy. Do you think as a black captain he is paving the way for other children on the continent?
His humility is sincere and I think he exudes a personality that is necessary for today’s world: he has a force that guides him towards excellence, he is a winner. It represents rugby for whites, blacks, adults, children. Everything you can imagine is characterized by Siya Kolisi. In its wake, there are more and more children, there is the South African rugby 7s team which has more and more black people. Ditto in Zimbabwe, in Namibia.
After that it’s not a question of color, let me tell you things clearly… But let’s say that more people from the silent majority go and get a rugby ball to play.
Africa has two representatives in this World Cup. It’s no worse than North America, for example, which won’t have any. And then Japan will be the only one to represent Asia. But do you think the next step could be the extension of the competition in order to have a third African team, perhaps in the next few years?
We are 37 in Africa, members of Rugby Africa. Can you imagine if we had three teams? Because Kenya could be there and make its way. Algeria could do the same if they face each other at the top level. Football first said ‘no’. Then they said “yes”. And what happened recently at the World Cup? Morocco went to the semi-finals… Cameroon beat Brazil.
We make this appeal: give us more competitions. Allow African countries to play in the biggest competitions.
A conciliation is necessary to decree that Africa benefits from this chance. Then you will be able to see 2, 3, 4 countries simultaneously in competitions.
Why do you believe in a better future for rugby in Africa?
We are trying to change the mindset. I am trying to change the relationship between Rugby Africa, World Rugby, FFR, EU, AFD, development agencies, investors. We need to bring people who understand that this sport is a good investment, where the opportunity is great. The world is changing and for this reason I think rugby will develop in Africa. We believe in ourselves. It’s your turn to believe in us.
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