Speaking to this press, the President of the association, Jeremiah Moshopeh Pratt said that that in the past two years he and his colleagues were working immensely to put forward documents to organizations concerning the sport in the country and the international Rugby federation in order for them to be recognized both nationally and internationally.
He mentioned that they are also an affiliate member of Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) and that within the next two years they will qualify to become members of World Rugby.
He said fighting to gain recognition was their greatest dream and now that they have achieved that goal their next plan of action is to see how best they will expand the sport nationwide. The President furthered that it was however not easy for them to put things in place for the recognition they have earned, because of the fact that the Sports Ministry and Sports Council always pounds on them to prepare their documents well before they recognize them as a sporting discipline. This, he said was prudent because, according to him, they can now proudly boast of being a well-structured association with the aim of promoting the sport.
Jeremiah stated there is a difference between Rugby League and Rugby Union in terms of the rules and regulations, and also the playing styles, but the Sierra Leone National Rugby Association (SLeNRA), he said will run the affairs of Rugby generally, which means the two types of Rugby will be played by the players and the association is trying its best to form several teams that will have players who will be able to play the two types of Rugby.
He said presently there are four registered rugby clubs, one in Makeni and Three in Freetown. He said the association needs seven clubs so that they will organize tournaments for them and from which the technical team will select 15 players for the national team that will be representing the country in international friendlies and competitions.
He reaffirmed that their next plan is how best they will take the sport to the Schools, Colleges, Military and the Police. He said by taking the sport to them, it will be very easy for them to scout out talented players who might opt to be players in the sport.
He added that after the Ebola crisis, they will organize their tournaments for the teams available now after which they will take a tour nationwide to re-introduce the sport so that people will learn and understand the its significance.
