" Controversial Eastern Province president Cheeky Watson again dodged the bullet when a chaotic annual meeting of the EP Rugby Union at the weekend ended with the critical decision on his future being delayed to the end of February.
Watson, in the face of fierce opposition from clubs and stakeholders in the cash-strapped province, was expected to face a vote of no confidence on Saturday. But after ugly confrontations which delayed proceedings — and saw certain club delegates barred from the gathering — it was decided to hold a special meeting on February 28 when the audited financial statements and Watson’s position as president will be discussed.
The EP Rugby Union faces threats of liquidation and contracted players not in the SA Rugby Union-run Southern Kings squad for Super Rugby have not been paid since September.
The annual meeting was also attended by delegates from SA Rugby, led by deputy president Mark Alexander, and members from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The special meeting on Sunday, February 28, will take place a day after the disrupted Southern Kings open their Super Rugby campaign with a home game against the Sharks in Port Elizabeth.
The Sharks left on Momday on their two-match tour of France ahead of their Super Rugby season. They will meet two of Europe’s strongest teams, Toulon on Friday and Toulouse on February 11, though these clubs, in the middle of their demanding French seasons, are certain to rest many of their internationals for these friendlies."
The meeting was obviously chaotic and crooking was more the rule than otherwise. Clubs were told that they must be registered and pay a registration fee of R100 - but due to chaotic administration last year no club registrations took place last year/ Some clubs were allowed to register on Saturday morning - others were excluded totally from the meeting.
When one club chairman turns up - he found that the club was already represented by two people. The problem was that they were known friends of Cheeky Watson - but the problem was that the two "representatives" never had anything to do with the club they represented. How many other clubs were in the same boat - especially in cases where clubs were not allowed into the meeting?
Why did the Department of Sport and Recreation has representatives at the AGM - at most it should have been "observers". It is obvious that the Departmental representatives was there to protect Cheeky Watson and prevent his ouster.
This case is turning ugly and is likely to end up in court - matter of fact i is already there and money was stolen from the Nelson Mandela Municipality last year to help paying the salaries of the players when they were paid late.
Cheeky is a curse in SA Rugby and should be send packing.
