50 years of rugby in Libreville

50 years of rugby in Libreville – Libreville is the political and administrative capital of Gabon, the first city of the country in number of inhabitants. Thus logically, rugby players’ biggest breeding ground of the country ! As the Gabonese Rugby Union is joining Rugby Africa, we are coming back on the history of one of their flagship club : the RCL

Between 1975 and 1980, driven by  “President, coach and player” Pierre Duro, the club was linked to the Football Union which became the Gabonese Football Rugby Union. The first President of this new entity was Dr Lamine Diop, today deceased.The Rugby Club of Libreville ( RCL) had been officially created on September 15th, 1960 and was confirmed in the newspaper “Gabonese Republic”, page 565, at the same date.

RCL’s chairman at this time was Mr Gustave Anguile, Finance Minister, helped in his task by Mr Jean-Pierre Juilla, Vice-President.

During the years 1976 to 1986, the RCL faced teams of the French 3rd division on international matches and recorded no defeat. The RCL during these 10 years was equal as a French 2nd division.

On the African continent, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic are so many teams that hardly ever beat RCL.

Some results during the season 1976 – 1977

YAOUNDE 12 – 9 RCL
PORT-GENTIL 12 – 54 RCL
KINSHASSA 0 – 17 RCL
RCL 24 – 3 BRAZZAVILLE 
RCL 40 – 15 PORT-GENTIL
RCL 63 – 16 UTA PARIS
RCL 33 – 6 KINSHASSA
RCL 25 – 18 GABONESE ARMY
YAOUNDE 11 – 12 RCL
E.E.C.I. ABIDJAN 17 – 19 RCL
UTA PARIS 7 – 12 RCL
RCL 57 – 22 ARCHIBALL BIARRITZ 
BRAZZAVILLE 17 – 0 RCL
POINTE NOIRE 3 – 37 RCL
GABONESE ARMY 4 – 12 RCL

The XV’s values of the RCL

I Love the jersey
II Respect the rules
III Unit the group
IV Enjoy the talent of all the people 
V Add value to the team
VI Identify the leaders
VII Organise its defensive network 
VIII Learn to surpass yourself 
IX Handle the unpredictable
X Take a global view
XI Set up in the duration
XII Never give up
XIII Stay faithful to your style
XIV Live together outside of the field
XV Know how to take a break

Today, the club is still support by the chairman, Pierre Duro who leads the Gabonese Union masterfully

Gabon autrefois

AS SOGARA la grande équipe gabonaise de tous les temps.

CSB BATAVEA

Petrosport

Gaboriaud Christian, Yvon SOUNDA, Reboucka God, BHONGO,Romuald; Patrick Rapaumbya Badamassi, Ocloo, avec le coach ABAYOMI à l'inauguration du nouveau terrain du Collège RAPONDA entre les 2 bâtiment en Janvier 1980

Librevile Autrefois

Mode d'autrefois

Mariage protestant

Mirage Gabonais

Gabon

The Force Aérienne Gabonaise purchased a total of three Mirage 5Gs and two Mirage 5DG trainers in 1975. The contract originally included two Mirage 5RG reconnaissance aircraft, but these were subsequently cancelled.

Deliveries were completed in 1978, but no aircraft was delivered before 1980, when the training of the crews was completed.

Only one year after they were finally delivered to Liberville, two Mirages were lost in a collision, while the others started suffering to hot and rainy climate. Consequently, in 1982 a follow-up order for four Mirage 5G-IIs and two Mirage 5DG-IIs was issued. These aircraft were all delivered by 1984, by when also the survivors of the original batch were refurbished in France.

As of the early 1990s three Mirage 5Gs and three two-seaters should have still been in service with the Escadron de Chasse 1-02 "Leyou", but their current status remains unclear.

(Photo: AMD/BA)

(Photo: AMD/BA)

(Photo: ACIG Archives)

Gabon originally ordered two mirage 5DG trainers, both of which were delivered only in 1980. In 1982 a follow-up order for two additional Mirage 5DG-IIs was issued, both of which arrived by 1984. Only two two-seaters survived the service with FAGA by the late 1980s, however, and their current status remains unknown. (ACIG archives)

Serials of the original three Gabonese Mirage 5Gs were 401 thru 403, Mirage 5DGs were 201 and 202. The two Mirage 5RGs were assigned serials 301 and 302, but never delivered. The Mirage 5DG-IIs were serialled 501 thru 504, while the two additional 5DGs became 203 and 204.

La Tropicale Amissa-Bongo vient de s'achever. Comme il est de rigueur après chaque événement, un bilan s'impose. De mémoire d'homme, ailleurs tout événement a entre autre pour objectif de perpétuer, soit une tradition ou une illustre personnalité ayant consacré sa vie a la promotion d'une discipline ou d'une tout autre noble cause. A ce titre, concernant la Petite Reine que répondrons nous aux enfants qui poseront la question de savoir qui était Amissa Bongo? & qu'est ce que cette dernière a accomplit durant son existence pour le cyclisme Gabonais? Ces questions conduiront inexorablement a l'explication taboue & secret de polichinelle sur les causes de sa mort. On apprendra ainsi qu'elle fut emportée des suites d'une overdose de drogues dures. Est ce la le modèle que nous entendons donner a nos enfants? Pour ne pas me limiter a la critique, je propose un autre rendez-vous du cyclisme national qui honorera le grand Badinga dit "Débading" 1ere vedette authentique du cyclisme Gabonais, 1960-1970. La legende dit que Badinga se rendait jusqu'a Mouila a bicyclette avec son épouse et son enfant. Mbadinga était une légende vivante qui lors des parades du 17 Août ravissait toujours la vedette. Reecrire l'histoire réelle du Gabon est le devoir de tout patriote.




Contribution: Adrien P Ivanga Adyayéno

John Mickouma pour un Critérium International DEBADING, un Tournoi de Boxe International Joe MBOUROUKOUNDA, un prix Musical MOUNANGA Paul Marie un prix artistique Basile ALLAINMAT-MAHINE, Expliquer aux jeunes pourquoi le nom lexical Gabonais du couteau de chasse est "NZOGU'OBAME" & le poisson salé "OBAME-MINKO" de même qu'un individu de petite taille est un "PETIT CONGO... etc