Africa News

Zimbabwe Rugby team receives apology after sleeping on Tunisian street

The Sables- Zimbabwe rugby side and their managers had traveled to the North African country ahead of their World Cup Qualifier match on Saturday.However, when they arrived at the hotel, they found the accommodation provided unacceptable and decided to sleep on the street in protest. Zimbabwe's former Minister of Sport, David Coltart, posted photos of the players sleeping outside the hotel with their suitcases by their side. The photos sparked widespread outrage on social media among Zimbabweans who condemned the treatment of the team. Coltart said the players had spent six hours at the airport battling visa issues before they were taken to the hotel, which they rejected. The team was delayed at airport officials when they could not pay a visa fee of $23 each, one of the team's captains told local radio station CapitalK FM. Nigeria's captain got a ransom demand for his kidnapped father hours before a World Cup gameZimbabwe's sports ministry, however, said the tournament organizers gave assurances that visas would be issued to the team on their arrival. The government will continue to monitor the welfare of the players in the tournament. Tunisia's union said it was working to address the difficulties faced by the team.Khaled Babbou from the Tunisia Rugby Union said the unfortunate incident was not intended to "destabilize" their opponent, adding that alternative accommodation had been provided on the outskirts of the city, which the players have accepted. "I apologize on behalf of the Tunisian Rugby Federation, we are proud to host Rugby Africa tournaments every year, and we strive to meet the best international standards in terms of accommodation and other infrastructure," Babbou said in a statement. The Sables will play against Tunisia in the latest round of Africa Rugby's Gold Cup competition on Saturday. The winner will qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Original Article

[contf]
[contfnew]

CNN

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Related Articles

Africa News

Burkinabés urge calm as they await poll results

africanews– Burkinabés await results of Sunday’s presidential elections. Thousands of voters were...

Africa News

Burkina Faso election: Peace, security among key issues

Six years after heading into exile, the shadow of former president Blaise...

Africa News

The Red Cross Reports Hundreds Injured in Ethiopia-Tigray Conflict

Casualties of War Following the escalation of the conflict between the Ethiopian...

Africa News

Zambia Declared in Default of Debt Repayment to Creditors

The Debt Remains Unpaid After failing to make an interest payment on...

Africa News

Zimbabwe Rugby team receives apology after sleeping on Tunisian street

The Sables- Zimbabwe rugby side and their managers had traveled to the North African country ahead of their World Cup Qualifier match on Saturday.However, when they arrived at the hotel, they found the accommodation provided unacceptable and decided to sleep on the street in protest. Zimbabwe's former Minister of Sport, David Coltart, posted photos of the players sleeping outside the hotel with their suitcases by their side. The photos sparked widespread outrage on social media among Zimbabweans who condemned the treatment of the team. Coltart said the players had spent six hours at the airport battling visa issues before they were taken to the hotel, which they rejected. The team was delayed at airport officials when they could not pay a visa fee of $23 each, one of the team's captains told local radio station CapitalK FM. Nigeria's captain got a ransom demand for his kidnapped father hours before a World Cup gameZimbabwe's sports ministry, however, said the tournament organizers gave assurances that visas would be issued to the team on their arrival. The government will continue to monitor the welfare of the players in the tournament. Tunisia's union said it was working to address the difficulties faced by the team.Khaled Babbou from the Tunisia Rugby Union said the unfortunate incident was not intended to "destabilize" their opponent, adding that alternative accommodation had been provided on the outskirts of the city, which the players have accepted. "I apologize on behalf of the Tunisian Rugby Federation, we are proud to host Rugby Africa tournaments every year, and we strive to meet the best international standards in terms of accommodation and other infrastructure," Babbou said in a statement. The Sables will play against Tunisia in the latest round of Africa Rugby's Gold Cup competition on Saturday. The winner will qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Original Article

[contf]
[contfnew]

CNN

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Related Articles

Africa News

Burkinabés urge calm as they await poll results

africanews– Burkinabés await results of Sunday’s presidential elections. Thousands of voters were...

Africa News

Burkina Faso election: Peace, security among key issues

Six years after heading into exile, the shadow of former president Blaise...

Africa News

The Red Cross Reports Hundreds Injured in Ethiopia-Tigray Conflict

Casualties of War Following the escalation of the conflict between the Ethiopian...

Africa News

Zambia Declared in Default of Debt Repayment to Creditors

The Debt Remains Unpaid After failing to make an interest payment on...