adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE National Rugby League faces a bleak future after the competition was suspended indefinitely due to lack of funding and national teams have been asked to put contingency plans to keep their core players fit.
Over the last two months, league games have only been played in one weekend, two weeks ago, and this effectively squeezed life out of the NRL coffers.
The league took a break on June 21 when the Sables travelled to Madagascar for their failed International Rugby Board World Cup qualifiers and went on for 10 weeks without any games played.
But the resumption was set for August 23, where most teams showed they had lost form, fitness and quality due to the extended league break with chairman Nody Kanyangarara indicating there would be no more breaks until the end of the season.
However, given the NRL did not have enough funds to carry on with the league, and potential sponsors not committing themselves following the withdrawal of Delta Beverages through their Lion Lager brand, the league chiefs were again forced to suspend the league.
“The league has been put on hold indefinitely because we are not sure when we are going to resume.
“There are some things that we need to sort out first before we can resume and we are working on the issues I cannot disclose now,” said league secretary Theo Weale.
Defending champions Old Hararians and Harare Sports Club said it was disappointing that the league was not consistent anymore, but they were also hopeful that the Kanyangarara-led executive will be able to pen a deal for the games to go on.
Old Hararians coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge, who is also the Sables assistant coach, feels the lack of sponsorship not only affects the local league but it’s effects will also be felt by the national men’s rugby teams.
“It is disturbing when such things happen because players will not come for training sessions knowing they do not have league games to play and this affects the rhythm of the team, players’ fitness and it’s equally not good for the coaches’ plans.
“If the situation remains like this, and with the Sables looking at travelling to Namibia for the triangular tournament, it would mean that we need more camp time so that we work on the players’ fitness and skill level as they would have gone for longer periods without game time.
“But the biggest problem is that the corporate world is not forthcoming to partner rugby and I am sure these guys (NRL executive) are trying their level best to make sure the games go on,” said Mandenge.
Harare Sports Club and Cheetahs chairman Donald Mangenje added: “The longer the NRL season drags, the more we as Sevens are dragged out of holding the Sevens Summer Series because it comes at the end of the XVs league and it’s our only chance to look at the players before the South African tournament early December.
“This has pushed us to organise weekly training sessions for the Sevens players to keep them in shape,” said Mangenje.
However, Kanyangarara yesterday told The Herald they do not have the funds to bankroll the league anymore but are pinning their hopes on NetOne.
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