Rugby heads south east
The “Friends of Rugby” have once again taken a big stride in the development of the game of Rugby in Nigeria as they have made a significant inroad into the Southeastern part of the country with the introduction of Rugby to Abia State (God’s Own State).
According to the Secretary of the body and International Rugby Board Educator for Nigeria, Ntiense O. Williams, “We are proud to have made this significant inroad into a new territory - the Southeastern part of the Country and in particular, a sports loving state such as Abia State!”
Said he, “We are greatly delighted that the sports loving authority of Abia State led by the charismatic Honourable Commissioner of Sports & Social Development Hon. Paul Chikezie Mba (KIW) and his Director of Sports Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze popularly known as “Mr. Football” have fully embraced the game of Rugby and have also promised to feature in it at the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Kaduna in February 2009”
According to the Chairman of “Friends of Rugby” the man behind the Abia Rugby project, Kelechi Mbagwu who has these to say:
“I am happy to be a part of this remarkable development of Rugby in Nigerian, especially in the Southeastern part of the country where the game had hitherto been relatively unknown”.
“For me, it’s a positive breakthrough for us to have more States of the Federation embracing the beautiful game of Rugby. Coincidentally I am also from Abia State, and I am prepared to contribute my quota towards it meaningful development. I look forward to assisting where possible and bring “God’s own State” into the league of Rugby playing States in Nigeria” I am grateful to the initiators of this worthy Rugby development project, and will continue to throw my full weight behind them,” he said.
Meanwhile, arrangements have been concluded by the Abia State Sports Council to formally introduce the game of Rugby to its sports loving youths with a Rugby Seminar and Training program in conjunction with “Friends of Rugby” on Wednesday 26 – Saturday 29 November at the Sports Council Complex in Umuahia to be conducted by the International Rugby Board Educator for Nigeria Ntiense Williams.
This project has been made a reality through the doggedness of the students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Rugby Team ably led by its founder Mr. Obumneme Dike, who is also a player of Young Lions Rugby Football Club in Lagos.
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