Rugby success snuffed out by lack of funding

THE CYPRUS Sports Organisation (KOA) has hit back at criticism that it is starving the rugby authorities of funds, leaving both senior and junior national teams unable to compete in international competitions.

Following the success of the national side, unbeaten in all international matches, the European Rugby Federation invited the junior team to enter the European Championships, to be played in Italy next month.

Even though the juniors offered to contribute €450 towards the expense of the tour, they still fell €7,000 short of the total cost.

As a result, the Rugby Federation informed their European counterpart that Cyprus would have to withdraw from the competition.

Additionally, Cyprus has also had to pull out of the annual Independence Cup, in which it is the defending champions, as it cannot afford the cost of travelling to Greece in March.

Responding, KOAs Director of Competitive Sports told the Mail that the Cyprus Rugby Federation was still relatively new and was only recognised by KOA two years ago.

“It is simply not true to say that they have not received any funding,” explained Philippos Sophocleous. “They have received money, as have all the other sporting federations on the island.”

He added that as the Rugby Federation was still relatively new, “they must show us that they are serious about their work and we of course will help them as we feel that they have great potential.”

The Director also said that in general, junior teams are not entitled to a great amount of funding.

“In order to receive more, there are certain criteria that need to be met, for example performance.”

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.