11 November 2008
Namibia Rugby Union's (NRU) acting chief executive officer Christo Alexander has described as 'baseless' allegations made by Iyaloo Ya Nangolo on Friday that pre-elections were held to influence the outcome of the union's annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday.
Ya Nangolo, who withdrew his candidacy from the NRU Presidency earlier, wrote a letter to Alexander on Friday, claiming that pre-elections to determine the outcome of the elective AGM on Saturday were held on November 5 and November 7.
In the letter, Ya Nangolo claimed that the follow-up meeting held on Saturday agreed that Bradley Basson and Sarel Losper withdraw their candidatures in order to consolidate all votes for Buks Bock.
He added that he received phone calls from the 'so-called' coloured clubs, requesting him to withdraw his candidacy and blatantly stating that Namibian rugby should only be run by coloureds and not whites and blacks.
Said Ya Nangolo: "As much as it pains me to do so, I have resolved to withdraw my nomination for the NRU Presidency as I refuse to be part of the unprincipled, dissolute and racial issues that have seemingly become practice in the NRU."
He added that despite bringing the matter to the attention of the NRU Executive, they had done nothing to investigate the complaints to date.
Alexander, who initially did not want to comment on the matter, told Nampa on yesterday that there is no reason for the NRU Executive to investigate the allegations made by Ya Nangolo.
He said the NRU did not constitute any pre-elections before the AGM, adding that it was a normal practice by individual clubs to campaign for their candidates just like political parties campaign for their candidates during any elections.
The NRU's members on Saturday elected a new executive under the leadership of Bock.
SUBURBS TOPS Meanwhile, Western Suburbs beat Wanderers 20-15 in a gripping final to win the MTC Premier League rugby title in Windhoek on Saturday.
Suburbs were full value for their victory, defending superbly to subdue the tremendous onslaughts by Wanderers' forwards.
Suburbs' players tackled as if their lives depended on it and spurred on by their ecstatic fans, singing away in pouring rain, Suburbs held on for a memorable victory.
The Suburbs first division side were also crowned the champions of the First League after beating Reho Falcon II 20-13 in the final.
The senior team received N$55 000 for the win, while the first league team got away with a N$25 000 first prize for winning the final.
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