WINDHOEK, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Namibia Rugby Union on Tuesday unveiled a reset and rebuilding strategy for the 2026-2031 cycle following the country's failure to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The NRU said at a press conference that its funding had been affected, with World Rugby high-performance support adjusted after the missed qualification. In response, the union has reassessed its high-performance structures and financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
"The NRU affirms that its governance and executive structures remain in place and fully operational, and that the union continues to function in accordance with its constitutional, regulatory and international obligations," the governing body said.
According to the NRU, the strategy focuses on five key areas: governance and institutional reform; financial sustainability and commercial growth; high-performance and national pathway development; competitions and participation growth; and transformation and community development.
The union said the plan represents a shift away from short-term performance models toward sustainable development, informed by international best practices and World Rugby frameworks.
Acknowledging recent challenges, the NRU said it remains committed to a disciplined rebuilding process, working with members, partners and stakeholders to maintain program continuity and player development opportunities.
"The NRU acknowledges that recent outcomes represent a challenging period for both the union and the broader rugby community," it said. "However, the NRU remains firmly committed to a disciplined, transparent and measured rebuilding process." ■
