Cheeky Watson brought stability

IT would seem that the people are choosing to forget the challenges that confronted EP rugby but a few years ago.

These who claim to fight for transformation are old enough to remember the struggles not 10 years ago to find a lasting solution for EPRU stability.

This was a dark time where EP rugby was a union in turmoil.

Warring factions were at each other's throats in court cases, eventually escalating to the national sports recreation portfolio committee in the National Assembly and on to minister Makhenkesi Stofile.

Those who attended the meeting at Nangoza Jebe Hall, called by Saru and Epru leadership, will remember being told to swallow their pride and prioritise rugby as a national asset.

This led to the appointment of a co-operative executive, which saw Cheeky Watson working alongside Pat de Silva as co-presidents.

It was the first time in a long while that we in the club structures could say there were finally no divisions in the leadership of EP and that rugby was truly being put above individual interests. When the next elections came, Watson, who was working in Cape Town at the time, gave up his commitments to move to Port Elizabeth to take up the role of president.

Under his leadership we have seen the rebranding of EP Mighty Elephants to EP Kings, the move to the world class stadium NMB Stadium and Super Rugby status, and we won Currie Cup premier status.

We have seen a rugby academy that is focusing on transformation and developing our players, we have won the Craven Week and seen the rebirth of township rugby at schools with the TJRDP. Old clubs have been reborn as club rugby competition grows.

All this and much more has been accomplished by Watson and his executive. We see the benefits of the stability we fought for not so long ago, but now we see those who have decided to forget.

Now that we have something to be proud of, we see those who want to go back to the struggles of the past. We see individual interests are again first and rugby is second.

Let us not forget.

Xolisa Klaas, Port Elizabeth