Herbert Mensah Calls for Stronger Systems to Drive Africa’s Sporting Success

Herbert Mensah has called on African countries to strengthen governance systems, infrastructure and youth development structures to achieve lasting success in sports and national development.

In a statement released to mark Africa Day under the theme “63 Years of Unity, Integration and Development,” the Rugby Africa President said the continent must move beyond symbolic discussions and focus on building practical systems that deliver measurable progress.

According to Mr Mensah, weak structures, uneven investment and poor infrastructure continue to limit Africa’s ability to compete effectively and achieve sustainable growth in sports.

Drawing from his experience in rugby and football administration, he stressed that sporting success does not happen by chance but depends on disciplined leadership, proper planning and long-term investment.

“Sport develops when leadership is strong, structures are effective and investment is directed to the right areas,” he stated.

Mr Mensah explained that success in sports goes beyond performances on the field and depends heavily on governance, coaching systems, player welfare, planning and talent development structures operating behind the scenes.

He warned that when these systems are weak, sporting achievements become temporary rather than sustainable.

The Rugby Africa President also cautioned against the pressure for quick results, saying it often leads to poor decision-making and weak long-term planning.

According to him, sustainable success in sports requires strategic planning, proper financial management and continuous investment in people and development pathways.

Mr Mensah further highlighted the need for stronger regional integration within African sports, noting that language barriers, geography and outdated systems continue to limit talent development across the continent.

He argued that better cooperation among African countries could improve competition structures and create wider opportunities for athletes.

Using South Africa as an example, he said inclusive systems have helped strengthen sporting excellence, particularly in rugby, where the country has become a four-time Rugby World Cup champion.

He stressed that inclusion should not only be viewed as a social goal but also as an important factor in improving competitiveness and performance.

Mr Mensah also urged African countries to develop solutions tailored to their own realities instead of relying on imported development models that may not address local challenges.

He described Africa’s youthful population as one of the continent’s greatest strengths and called for increased investment in schools, academies and youth sports programmes.

According to him, investing in young people will be critical to the future growth of sports in Africa and globally.

He concluded by urging African leaders and sporting institutions to prioritise accountability, stronger systems and measurable impact to ensure long-term growth and development across the continent.