Mvalo commits to breathing life into ailing Border Rugby

Theo Mvalo promised to right Border Rugby’s floundering ship after being elected as the union’s new president at its AGM in KuGompo City on Sunday. He succeeds Zuko Badli, who occupied the position for the past four years. Mvalo’s main mandate, together with his executive, he said, was to strengthen the union’s financial muscle by getting the private sector on board through sponsorships, which were missing, hampering the progress of the union’s teams, from juniors through to seniors.

The meeting in Cambridge was attended by representatives of affiliated clubs, district rugby unions, schools rugby, women’s rugby associates and members of the executive committee. There were threats, in the run-up to the gathering, of postponement and that it might be interdicted because of concerns over certain elements of the election process. But having achieved the required quorum, delegates unanimously resolved to proceed with the election of the new office bearers.

The auditors presented the annual financial statements and confirmed that the Border Rugby Union had received an unqualified audit opinion, reflecting sound financial governance and compliance. Mvalo went head-to-head with Asanda Simoyi for the presidency and landed 33 of the 49 votes. Simoyi and 13 others did not attend Sunday’s gathering.

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Mvalo had served as part of the executive committee as a club representative. “I am thrilled that the rugby community has entrusted me with the responsibility,” he said. “I have been involved in rugby for quite some time. I know what is needed.

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