The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has expressed its readiness to develop the game in Kogi, the Confluence State.
Speaking with newsmen in Ekinrin-Adde over the weekend, the Development Officer of the Federation, Coach Wuraola Hussain said NRFF has intensified its efforts to spread rugby across the country.
According to her, the Federation is partnering with the State Chapter headed by Mrs. Olufunke Kanjuni and traditional rulers to help develop the game in Kogi State.
She noted that Rugby, which is usually described as a hooligans game played gentlemen, is another way of curtailing youth restiveness by engaging them meaningfully to be productive and responsible in the society.
“Our target is everybody, the youths and most especially, secondary school students, grassroots dwellers, universities as well as adults that will love and want to play the game. We are open to all,” she said.
She pointed out that there is Rugby for special people (people with disabilities) such as wheelchair rugby, deaf rugby among others.
The Rugby Development Officer urged the government and people of Kogi State to embrace the game as it has a lot of benefits for both young and old.
“I want to charge Kogi people to embrace the game as it has a lot of benefits. There are opportunities for the youths to play professional and international Rugby and earn good money. There are also opportunities for scholarships because it is an international game.”
Wuraola said Nigeria is the fifth fastest growing country in the world in the game, saying both men and women are doing well in the competition.
She added that the Federation has league in the country which will commence soon, pointing out that it will be played based on geopolitical zones.
With Kogi State embracing rugby, many youths now have platforms to showcase their potential at state, zonal, and national levels. This initiative is expected to create a ripple effect that will galvanize the growth of the sport across Nigeria. The establishment of rugby in Kogi is not just about playing the game; it is about building a robust infrastructure that includes state associations, schools, clubs, and community involvement.
In the last three years, Nigerian rugby has witnessed a resurgence, with the national team participating in pre-Olympic qualifiers in Mauritius and Zimbabwe, ultimately reaching the quarter-finals before losing to South Africa. The Black Stallions, Nigeria’s rugby team, are set to leave for Mauritius again to compete in the Africa Cup Rugby Sevens tournament, where they will face teams from Kenya, Madagascar, and the host nation.
The introduction of rugby to Kogi is seen as a positive development, expected to attract direct investment into the state’s rugby programs. This will foster formal partnerships with local and international authorities, driving further development. By bringing together state associations, schools, clubs, communities, and individuals, the NRFF aims to create a sustainable and thriving rugby environment in Kogi State and beyond.
