Kampala — THE International Rugby Board (IRB) development manager in charge of women Susan Carty is impressed with the development of women rugby in Uganda.

Carty revealed this while meeting sports state minister Charles Bakkabulindi at his office in Kampala.

"I am impressed with the structures and development of rugby in the country and call for your continued support," Carty asked the minister.

"There is need for more facilities and that is where government is much needed," she pointed.

Carty, in Uganda on a two-day visit, is here to assess the development of women rugby in the country. She appealed to the Uganda Rugby Union to extend women rugby to schools and higher institutions of learning.

Bakkabulindi applauded the rugby union for the good administration that has made the sport perform "above others". He appealed to the IRB for more funds to the local rugby governing body.

"It's the sport that has not given me headache while in this office and I appeal to you to fund them highly because government may not have enough resources to fund all their activities," he explained.

He added that Uganda would have performed better in the World Cup but was pooled among strong teams like New Zealand.

URU chairperson William Blick pledged to take women rugby to universities next year.

The delegation was led by National Council of Sports general secretary Jasper Aligawesa.

Meanwhile, the university 15-a-side league kicks off today with four matches on card. Champions Makerere University (Impis II) host Ndejje at Makerere, while Kyambogo face Nkumba Invaders at Kyambogo ground.

Elsewhere Makerere University Business School (MUBS) will host Busoga University and Nkozi Martyrs travel to Mukono for a date against Uganda Christian University Mukono.

Players featuring in the Nile Special Premier League are barred from featuring for the university competition.

University rugby league

Impis II v Ndejje, Makerere

Kyambogo v Nkumba,

Kyambogo

MUBS v Busoga Hammers

UCU Shepherds v Nkozi