Madam, – In “Kearney gains new insight under African skies” (Sport, June 1st) Rob Kearney says “Rugby is a completely foreign sport” to Ethiopia and that “they’d no idea” about rugby.
In fact, rugby is very much alive and growing in Ethiopia. The Addis Ababa Nyalas Rugby Club, albeit the only rugby club in Ethiopia, is at the fore of developing the game here in Ethiopia. Throughout the club’s history our playing base has extended beyond expatriate nationals to a robust Ethiopian presence, with a burgeoning youth and underage game. The club has been fortunate to have fostered close relationships with established clubs throughout Africa and the Middle East who have graciously provided coaching, training equipment, kit and match opposition to the club in order to continually develop the game in Ethiopia.
Even a cursory internet search for rugby in Ethiopia would have led Mr Kearney to our nascent club. If he had contacted me I could have assured him of an introduction to many fine Ethiopian players who have a fair idea of his, and his Leinster and Irish colleagues’, talents. – Yours, etc,