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The significant growth has helped the level of rugby played in the country improve with this being seen on the international stage with Las Tucanes qualifying for Rio de Janeiro 2016. Quantity has also risen with the sport’s popularity continuing to reach new heights.
Colombian Rugby President Andrés Gómez told El Colombiano that “this is due to the management, to the international relations and to strong participation in international events. In addition Colombia was chosen to host this year’s World Rugby Meeting of International Development. It is an event in which delegates will come from all continents at the end of march and the start of April“.
Gómez feels that the departure of Andrés Zafra to play in France is just the beginning of the exportation of players. Since then Gerson Ortiz has moved to play in Uruguay and another player is currently being considered to play in Argentina.
Not only has World Rugby funding increased but so has sponsorship. Gómez points out that in 2011 Coldeportes provided $60 million pesos while today it is $340 million. The money is used to pay national coaches, technical assistance, Federation events, travel expenses and preparation.
“We are going to bring a top level coach to the test team, of the level of Los Pumas in Argentina to work for two months in Medellín with the test roster”.
