REVEALED: What rugby expertise Rasool brings to the Province board
REACTION: The appointment of Ebrahim Rasool as the new Chairman of Western Province Rugby Football Union will ‘usher in an exciting era for WP’ says Zelts Marais.
As reported by @rugby365com, Rasool has been appointed the new Chairman of the board of WP Professional Rugby (Pty) Ltd – the professional arm of the WPRFU following a Board Meeting on Friday, September 4.
Rasool has previously held several high-profile political positions – including being the South African Ambassador to the United States and a member of the national assembly.
Marais, president of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU), conveyed the unanimous decision of the Union – the shareholder – to the Board of Directors, and Rasool will commence his duties with immediate effect.
He replaced Johan van der Merwe as Chairman of the board.
“I want to personally thank Johan van der Merwe for leading the Board through challenging times with aplomb, the commitment and dedication he brought to the job and, especially his leadership through this unprecedented crisis brought on by COVID-19. We look forward to continuing the work where he left off,” he said.
Marais said that Rasool brings with him a wealth of experience, from his credentials in the struggle for justice, his exposure to various portfolios in government, his diplomatic experience in the USA, his academic expertise and his business acumen.
“We are looking forward to harnessing the experience and networks of Ambassador Rasool to the benefit of WP Rugby, and we are confident his appointment will help usher in an exciting era for WP Rugby. He is a rugby man through and through,” he said.
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Rasool, in turn, spoke about his deep roots in non-racial rugby, his commitment to unity with transformation, and his love of WP Rugby.
“It is a deep honour and an exceptional challenge to accept this post. The Western Cape is undoubtedly the cradle of rugby in South Africa, and we must nurture rugby from grassroots – the clubs and the schools – to the professional – the Stormers and our Springboks.
“But we must honour the whole history of rugby, from the very celebrated to those written out of rugby history.
“We can only thrive if we deliver value to ALL who are involved in the game, from investors and sponsors to the players and the very loyal rugby public or the region. I look forward to working closely with president Zelt Marais to ensure the sustainability and excellence of rugby in this region,” he said.
