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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
AS relations between World Rugby and the Zimbabwe Rugby Union continue to improve, the global body have despatched a two-man delegation to the country on a mission to review the union’s operations.

They will also assess the areas which need strengthening.

Steph Nel, World Rugby’s rugby services manager for Africa, and John Bosco Muamba, the global body’s development officer for Africa, flew into Harare for a five-day working visit.

ZRU vice-president (South) Martin Shone said yesterday they were happy with the progress they have made since assuming office and revealed World Rugby had increased by 5 000 the annual grant being given to the union.

“When we came in, the country was on the brink of suspension and the grant to Zimbabwe had been slashed by half to 45 000 and now it has been increased by 5 000,’’ he said.

“We are hoping that it will be increased to 90 000.

“We have managed to reduce the debt that we inherited from US$300 00 to close to US$100 000 and it is also a good thing that the World Rugby officials are coming at a time when we are hosting a tournament.’’

Nel outlined his mission in a letter to the ZRU last week, which he also congratulated the union’s boss Aaron Jani on his election to the Rugby Africa executive committee.

“First of all, allow me to congratulate you for being elected as Executive Committee Member of Rugby Africa and I want to wish you all the very best in facing this challenge.

“World Rugby is committed to working with our member Unions to support and assist them in the development of the game.

“We provide investment and support for a range of initiatives through our High Performance, Competitions and Development Investment Programmes.

“I wish to inform you that World Rugby seeks to complete an annual review of your Union. The review aims to understand the context you are working in as well as assess the progress of your DIP application and Performance plans against your own Strategic Plan.

“The review will take place from 16th-20th April 2019.

“Whilst in the country I’ll work with your staff and board on the New DIP process and Women’s pathway as well as provide support to the Rugby Africa RDO in analysing your growing the game needs.’’

The tasks that Nel and Muamba will perform during their visit to Zimbabwe include:

Review Audited Financial Statements

Review Player Eligibility Files

Review Union Domestic Competitions and logs

Review National Team Budgets

Review Union Performance Plans

Discuss balancing your board

Review Women’s rugby Plan

Review Barthes competition and tournament hosting

Review IOS funding application’’.

Zimbabwe are hosting the Barthes Cup Group B matches which burst into life at Prince Edward School today and which will also involve Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire and Madagascar.

Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire will get the tournament underway with a lunch-time kick off at the Jubilee Field.

Host captain Tonderai Chiwambutsa said the Young Sables are relishing the opportunity to play in Rugby Africa’s only junior competition.

Fixtures:

Today: Zimbabwe v Ivory Coast (1.30pm); Madagascar v Morocco (3.30pm)

Saturday: Loser 1 v Loser 2 (10am); Winner 1 v Winner 2 (12:00hrs)