Rugby Africa boss Mensah sends heartfelt message to World Cup-bound referee Pazani: ‘You’re holding the torch, you are the light’

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER

HARARE – Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah has celebrated a milestone for the game on the continent by sending a heartfelt message to Zimbabwean referee Precious Pazani, who is set to become the first official from outside South Africa to officiate at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

34-year-old Pazani, who hails from Harare, was in May named as an assistant referee for the Women’s World Cup, to be staged in England between 22 August and 27 September.

“Precious, I just want to congratulate you, you make me so proud,” Mensah said in a recorded video to Pazani.

 “Rugby Africa is even more proud of you. You are holding the torch, you are the light, you are the hope. You are the tomorrow for so many people. On a continent on which we have the greatest, the best, and yet we get very little opportunities, this is the good time to shine. Because it is the World Cup. I will be watching you of course as one of the African representatives but it’s you I will be looking for, and your presence.”

A send-off dinner was held for her in Harare this week, organised by Pazani’s Zimbabwean compatriot and mentor Mudiwa Mundawarara, Rugby Africa’s Referees Manager.

Mensah said Pazani’s maiden World Cup appearance as an assistant referee doesn’t all take the shine off her historic feat.

“Life is not about always being on the park, sometimes it is about people seeing you and understanding how special you are,” Mensah said.

“I know you are having a wonderful get-together, getting to leave this evening. And I know the drinks are on Mudiwa, but there is always also one on me and the Ex-Com and the HR. I’ve confirmed that and really it’s just to show my appreciation for what you’ve been doing. I’ve watched from a distance and I’ve watched the development. And if you take that confidence, that verve, that drive, that little something special on the park, it will be a great sign for the world that for what we already know, for all these years, that Africa belongs, that Africa is really special. You are going to be the ambassador and I say congratulations.”

Mensah ended his message to Pazani on a light note. Wearing a designer Lacoste golf shirt, the Ghanaian entrepreneur and ex-rugby star said the choice of colours for the occasion was a show of his special affinity with Zimbabwean rugby and the Southern African country.

“You notice that I’m wearing green, can you imagine that these Zimbabweans never gave me a Sables jersey!’ quipped Mensah.

“I’ve got one from Morocco, I’ve got one from Kenya, even Godwin (Kayangwe, Ugandan rugby president) didn’t give me one from Uganda so I guess I’m going to earn it the hard way! But this is as green as it get, there is no white in it, but an indication of my love and respect for your extremely beautiful country. I spent my time there and that will always be on my mind, the beauty of the place and the time I spent with the beautiful people of Zimbabwe. Good luck and we will see you soon.”