Rugby

Sports

APO Group has been the Main Official Sponsor of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa, from 2017 to 2022.

In 2023, APO Group entered into a new partnership with Rugby Africa, assuming the roles of Official Public Relations Partner and Sport Marketing Agency.

This new partnership reflects APO Group’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of rugby in Africa and promoting the sport across the continent.

In June 2023, Nicolas has be appointed as Special Advisor to Herbert Mensah, the President of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa, to provide expert advice and guidance on specific issues and areas of responsibility related to rugby and matters of interest on the African continent.

He is also representing Herbert Mensah in meetings and negotiations with various stakeholders, including presidencies, governments, and other entities across Africa and around the world, when called upon by Herbert Mensah.

Devising new ways to raise the profile of African rugby through media exposure and investment opportunities is a key part of his role as Special Advisor.

In May 2018, Nicolas unveiled the Rugby Africa Gold Cup perpetual trophy – also known as the Africa Cup – during the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Congress in Brussels. The Africa Gold Cup is the most prestigious rugby competition in Africa, and is also a Rugby World Cup qualifying event. Present at the unveiling were Abdelaziz Bougja, President of Rugby Africa, Gianni Merlo, President of AIPS, and Mitchell Obi, President of AIPS Africa.

The back of the Rugby Africa Gold Cup perpetual trophy has been engraved with the text: “Presented by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder of APO Group”. Hopefully it will be a lasting legacy, as this unique and prestigious trophy will be handed out to winners of the Africa Gold Cup until at least the year 2080. It is estimated there is enough space for the names of seventy (70) more winning teams to be engraved on the trophy’s base!

In November 2019, the exact same text – “Presented by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder of APO Group” – was also engraved on the front of the perpetual trophy for the Africa Men’s Sevens competition, a qualifier for the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Olympic Rugby Sevens tournaments.