Cameroon and Burkina Faso have achieved full World Rugby status after meeting relevant criteria, Rugby Africa has announced.
The decision was reached during a World Rugby Council meeting held on 18 November 2020 after the two unions progressing through the IRB’s comprehensive membership criteria governance, competition and development structures were assessed.
According to a statement released by Rugby Africa, Burkina Faso Rugby Union has become a full member and Cameroon Rugby Union has been re-instated as a full member.
Rugby Africa President Khaled Babbou commented on the exciting development, saying, “Congratulations to Cameroon Rugby Union which regains its rightful place as a World Rugby full member Union today.
“I would like to recognize the remarkable work of the Union’s President, Mr Marc Essono over the last couple of years to get the Union back on track. There is a great athletic potential in the country and a true passion for rugby, and we cannot wait to see the Cameroonian rugby men and rugby women in action.”
“The African rugby family is growing, and I am delighted to also welcome a new World Rugby full member, Burkina Faso to our confederation. All credit goes to the Union’s President Mrs Rolande Boro who has been working tirelessly with her team over the last four years to reach this well-deserved recognition,” added Babbou.
“This is also an inspiring example of women’s leadership in rugby and I take this opportunity to encourage Unions to involve more women in administration and governance structure. We have high expectations for both Cameroon and Burkina Faso and Rugby Africa will support them as best we can on and off the field. This is definitely a big day for African rugby!”
Cameroon union runs men’s and women’s national sevens programmes within the Rugby Africa Sevens Series structures and has made significant strides in development and performance in recent years.
“I am a very happy president and a proud rugby man. Our re-integration into the big World Rugby family is the satisfaction of a job well done from the ground up. Thanks to this re-integration the future of Cameroonian rugby looks brighter,” said the President of Cameroon Rugby Union, Marc Essono.
“We are ready for a great challenge and I wish to sincerely thank the Cameroonian sports authorities, the National Olympic Committee as well as Rugby Africa and World Rugby for their support. I particularly value and appreciate Rugby Africa’s President, Mr Khaled Babbou’s vision and the trust he placed in us. Long live rugby!”
On his part President of Burkina Faso Rugby Union Ms Rolande Boro also expressed his delight on the latest development.
“We really worked relentlessly to get fully affiliated to World Rugby. It was a long process and we kept focused on the results, so I am very proud of what we have accomplished today. It is not enough to wish and hope for something to happen, we must fight and persevere and work for it. That’s what we did and I’m grateful to all that made it possible.
“It’s an honour to be a World Rugby member union, it comes with great expectations and responsibilities and we are eager to embark on this new exciting rugby journey here in Burkina Faso,” said Ms Boro.
