Embracing sports as a catalyst for development and unity – Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and chairman of APO Group, a leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, has shed light on the Group’s involvement with Rugby Africa as well as other sports, and its broader significance.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ameyaw TV, Pompigne-Mognard made it known how APO group has played a pivotal role in enhancing the governing body of rugby in Africa, Rugby Africa’s visibility, supporting grassroots initiatives, and facilitating partnerships.

Watch full interview below:

In the words of Chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, ”In 2017, I got in touch with Rugby Africa, which is the governing body of Rugby In Africa and I discussed with them. They didn’t add a budget at the time. A citizen will provide Public Relations for Rugby Africa for free and so we became their official partner in the time of acquisition and that is how we slowly discovered that, as a prominent Ghanaian keeps saying all over; that sports is a business. I’m referring to Herbert Mensah who has been appointed President of Rugby Africa. He was at a Bloomberg event in Morocco recently and he keeps hammering everywhere that sports is a big business.’’

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He further added ”After entering that partnership with Rugby Africa, we became the pan-African public relations agency for NBA. Then we became the pan-African Public Relations agency of the basketball Africa League then FIFA, so we are since 2020 I think the pan-African Public Relations agency of FIFA. We entered into a partnership with Olympique de Marseille, and we are now deeply involved with Ruby Africa.’’

According to Pompigne-Mognard, who was recently appointed as the Special Advisor to Herbert Mensah, the President of Rugby Africa, as of 2022, there were only 6 playing Rugby in Africa but currently, there are 37 countries playing Rugby on the continent. He further added that there is no sport that is involving and welcoming like Rugby.

Rugby has traditionally been associated with regions like Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, but Africa is emerging as a new frontier for the sport.