Africa Is Finding Its Own Funding Models: Rugby Africa President Mensah Remarks in Post-Barthes Trophy Message

Africa Is Finding Its Own Tournament Funding Models: Rugby Africa President Mensah Remarks in Post-Barthes Trophy Message

KAMPALA, Uganda – Rugby Africa President and World Rugby Executive Board Member, Herbert Mensah, has delivered his message of gratitude at the end of the Rugby Africa 2026 U20 Barthes Trophy held in Uganda between 7-15 August.

Mensah once again showered praise on Uganda’s continued momentum, while stressing that the continent must widen its base in terms of who hosts, who funds, and who sustains rugby tournaments.

The Rugby Africa President, who also chairs the Regions of World Rugby, remarked that Uganda’s latest hosting achievement reflects a model of growth that is not accidental. It is built on participation, preparation, and crucially on shouldering real financial and logistical responsibility.

“This is the third year in succession that Uganda has hosted a major African tournament in the fuller version of the game, the men’s Fifteens,” Mensah said. “They’ve shouldered a huge chunk of the financial and logistical burden of it all.”

Mensah pointed to the back-to-back Rugby Africa Cup tournaments in 2024 and 2025 at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, describing them as events that will long be remembered for the host nation’s organisational skills, the spectacle delivered for the fans on match days, and the quality of rugby displayed on the field.

With the senior men’s competitions leaving a lasting impression on Kampala across those years, Mensah said it was the turn of the next generation of African rugby stars to shine, and they did just that during the just-ended 2026 Barthes Trophy.

Teams showcased entertaining rugby, with Kenya securing a record fourth title after beating Namibia 33–14 in the main final. For Mensah, while the young players produced a thoroughly enjoyable tournament, what was also pleasing was the evidence that African national rugby federations can build pathways and create momentum when they are willing to invest locally and strategically.

‘Sport Is Big Business,’ but Funding Is the Bottleneck

“My mantra is that sports is big business,” Mensah said. “Besides being a Member of the Executive Board of World Rugby, I also have the privilege of chairing the Regions, I have seen how the different regions of the world or their regional associations approach matters of pathways and the growth of rugby in their respective zones.”

He argued that Uganda’s growth model should not be treated as an exception.

“In fact, the Ugandans believe in greater participation of rugby by all: gender, age, social background.”

That, Mensah said, is what will gradually remove the “elitist” label from rugby. Inclusion and ambition must be matched by capacity, which comes at a cost.

“Quite clearly, it cannot be just Uganda (hosting),” Mensah said. “And it is not, thankfully, others are coming through to help!”

“But Africa cannot host enough tournaments with a budget of 650,000 Pounds per year,” he said.

The underfunding, he commented, highlights the reality facing federations that are trying to host events consistently while bearing the cost of officiating, travel, accommodation and logistics.

“With the right investment, Africa is the market that the world needs,” Mensah said. But investment, he implied, cannot be an assumption or a wish. Without it, Africa must keep innovating funding structures through governments, corporate partnerships, and federation-led initiatives.

Mali Is Showing What Government-Backed Funding Can Do

To demonstrate that African funding models are already evolving, Mensah referenced Mali and contrasted it with what he believes is the need for broader participation across the continent.

“A few months ago, I shared a piece here in which I was invited to Bamako,” he recalled. “It was the 2026 UFOAR Zone B Tournament, a competition paid for by the Malian Government.”

He described this as a sign that rugby can move beyond “community sport” in emerging nations when national authorities step in and when opportunity is structured properly for greater participation and competition.

“Those that read my piece some weeks back will remember how the Malian Government helped build a rugby model for emerging African rugby nations,” Mensah said. That pattern is not limited to one country.

“Just look at the likes of Morocco, Tunisia and Ghana; they have been sniffing out opportunities. Regional events are going to be held in these kinds of places.”

Uganda’s Future Role

While the continent shares the burden, Mensah returned to Uganda’s next responsibility with confidence. He said Uganda has not finished proving its ability to host and sustain.

“In September, they will host the World Rugby SVNS3 2026–2027 Africa Qualifiers,” he noted, presenting it as part of a continuing trajectory, rather than a single headline moment.

But Uganda’s success cannot become the continent’s excuse: relying on one country to carry the bulk of hosting.

Mensah pleaded for a share of responsibilities across the regions of Africa.

“More federations have to attract partnerships and step forward with funding plans.”

The Current Limitation and the Way Forward

For Mensah, the future must be defined by African-led investment models—public, private, and mixed—designed to keep tournaments frequent and pathways functional.

“Africa clearly has the best athletes on the planet,” Mensah concluded. “But we need to help ourselves and I can go to bed satisfied that the likes of Uganda and many others are showing us the way.”

Performance Division

First Division

Friday 7 August 2026 (EAT)

Tuesday 11 August 2026 (EAT)

Saturday 15 August 2026 (EAT)