Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Devastated By Rugby Africa General Manager’s Death

It is with great sadness that we receive the passing of Jean-Luc Barthes who died in his home near Castres in France as received in a communication from Rugby Africa on Wednesday morning. Barthes is the Rugby Services Manager for Africa rugby.

Jean-Luc dedicated the last 14 years working with all unions for the promotion and development of Rugby on the African continent. Initially based in Morocco and then France, Jean-Luc was passionate about Rugby and Africa. He was sincere, honest and hard working.

According to The NRFF President: Sir Edward Fom, his Rugby Africa legacy is huge, leaving a void in the union. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the global rugby family as we have lost a most faithful servant.

Jean-Luc Barthes photo credit: Rugby Afrique.

Jean Luc passed away surrounded by his wife Janick and daughter Lola, Rugby Africa’s communications Manager. Our thought also goes out to Lou and Delphine, his two other daughters and Elena; his granddaughter and all his close relatives and loved ones

Zimbabwe Picked Ahead Of Kenya As Host of 2014 Confederation of Africa Rugby Sevens Championships

Kenya has lost out on hosting the Confederation of Africa Rugby Sevens championships 2014 to Zimbabwe.

The Confederation of African Rugby awarded Zimbabwe the right to host the 2014 CAR Men Sevens tournament which will take place on the 29th and 30th of November 2014 in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The tournament will be held at the Harare Sports Club and is set to involve 12 countries, Kenya Uganda, Tunisia, Nigeria, Madagascar, Namibia, Botswana, Senegal, Zambia, Ivory Coast, South Africa and the hosts Zimbabwe.

The decision by CAR to award the hosting rights to Zimbabwe was a unanimous one after Africa’s rugby governing body had expressed its approval of the union’s development and administration structures.

CAR had its representative Jean Luc Barthes in the country a month ago and he said he was impressed with the progress that the country had made in its mandate of effectively running the game of rugby.

In view of this development, the Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Fasimoye Olatunji, as declared that “Nigeria is going to do well in the championship this year, Nigeria is rated 6th best in 7’s in Africa and we are determined to raise the bar this time” he said.

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation will use the Independence Rugby 7’s scheduled to hold at the Onikan stadium, Lagos from the 31st of October to 1st of November 2014, to select players that will represent the country at the 2014 CAR Men Sevens tournament.

The Independence Rugby 7’s tournament will feature both home and foreign based players.

Exciting action, delicious meals, a great crowd, is what best describes the Independence Rugby 7s tournament which is held annually to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary.

The tournament started in the year 2009 and has since grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in Nigeria.

The 2013 edition had a wider International participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour. However, clubs from every zone in Nigeria competed extremely well and two local teams made it to the final of last year’s edition.

(Cowrie RFC Lagos vs Nigeria Police RFC). The Police team beat Cowrie RFC 12-7 to emerge 2013 champions.

This year’s tournament will feature Teams from Egypt, UK, Botswana, South Africa, Ghana and eleven local teams from all the regions in Nigeria.