The South Africa Rugby general council took a "number of ground-breaking decisions" that President Mark Alexander said he "believed would have far-reaching effects for rugby in the country in time." Changes approved were:
- Permitting 74% shareholdings in commercial arms of rugby unions by private equity partners.
- Increasing the make-up of the independent and player representation on the Exec Council to five independents with six elected members.
- Introducing new committees for franchise (Vodacom Super Rugby) and non-franchise rugby to focus and streamline decision making.
- Reducing the presidential roles from three to two by removing the vice presidency from '18.
Alexander said, "We make no secret of the fact that in these tough economic times the rugby business is taking the same strain that every other South African business is facing. There is a battle to find and retain sponsors and supporters and we could not continue to do business in the same way. Rugby needed to make major decisions today to find new ways of doing things today and we have done that" (
SPORT 24, 12/9).
PRESSURE ON IAAF: Russian Anti-Doping Agency Chair Yelena Isinbayeva said that the IAAF "must reinstate Russia as soon as possible to prevent the country's athletes from stagnating." Isinbayeva said, "I want to believe soon they will find a compromise. We have done everything they asked -- we did it even before Rio 2016. ... A line needs to be drawn under the situation, otherwise it could go on for years" (REUTERS, 12/12).
LEAGUE BRIEFS ...
The Gaelic Athletic Association responded "cautiously to the gender quotas proposal" advanced by Minister of State for Sport Patrick O’Donovan. The association was not consulted in advance and "is at pains to point out its support for increased participation by women but also the need for further discussion." A spokesperson said, "As a family-based organization, the GAA welcomes efforts to increase the participation of women and girls across the sporting spectrum. ... However, democracy lies at the heart of the process that facilitates the appointment of the vast majority of our officials and in light of this morning’s announcement a wider discussion is now required to assess its potential impact" (IRISH TIMES, 12/12).
Nippon Professional Baseball announced Monday that from next season it will begin screening blood samples from players "as part of its fight against doping, supplementing the urine tests it already carries out." The decision, in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency's regulations, "was made by an executive committee comprised of 12 clubs following an NPB board meeting" (KYODO, 12/12).
