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Senior rugby bosses axed?
07/05/2008 22:04 - (SA)
Liam Del Carme , Beeld
Johannesburg - The process of reincorporating SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd into the South African Rugby Union will take shape at a meeting of the union's presidents' council next Wednesday.
The council must decide on the how and when of making the business wing of rugby in South Africa part of Saru again.
"The council have already taken a decision and it's simply a matter of how we should go about it," Saru president Oregan Hoskins said on Wednesday.
"We are doing this to eliminate duplication in our own ranks and we also want to meet the requirements of the laws in this regard," Hoskins said.
"The government have made it possible, with their tax laws, for sports federations to do this."
A tax adviser will be consulted to make the process run smoothly.
One of the main reasons for the founding of SA Rugby in 2001 was to have Saru's income from amateur activities exempted from tax.
SA Rugby handled all commercial activities. It had to run the sport financially from sources such as broadcast rights, the Springbok team, trademark business, sales of merchandise, sponsorships and the running of domestic and international competitions.
Extraordinary general meeting
The decision to incorporate SA Rugby into Saru has to be taken at an extraordinary general meeting.
"To amend the constitution, we have to hold a special general meeting but it's hard to say when this will happen," Hoskins said.
"The process has started. Willie Basson is explaining our strategic plan to the employees."
He was unwilling to discuss the possibility that some senior members of SA Rugby and Saru's management may be affected.
"This is a sensitive matter," was all he would say.
The reasons for the changes seem to make sense but fears have been expressed that it may have more to do with where the power in the controlling body should be centred.
If Saru can take commercial decisions again the powers of the 14 provincial presidents could be enhanced.
It has been said this carries the risk of presidents making decisions in the interest of their unions; not in the interest of the game.
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Rugby
