Edo 2020 NSF: Mr. rugby, ESSC synergy set a new dawn for rugby return after a decade

By ABIODUN JIMOH

After a decade absence at the National Sports Festival (NSF), the game of rugby has finally found its way back into the biennial sporting fiesta.

With this development, domestic rugby activities is bubbling all over the country with the return of the beautiful game to the Nigerian version of the Olympics games.

The year 2009 remained the last period rugby featured as a medal winning event after its first appearance at the Gateway games, Ogun State in 2006.

Prior to that, rugby went through the mandatory three demonstrations and even an exhibitions in 1998 edition in Imo State all through the hard work and doggedness of the man popularly called “Mr Rugby” in Nigeria Obong Ntiense Williams.

This time around, in 2019, he has used his very cordial and personal relationship with the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Barrister Godwin Dudu Orumen to champion the return of rugby as one of the six selected optional sports that the host state selected as their advantage sports.

Ntiense, who also is the head Coach of Edo State Rugby Association went with his principle the Chairman of the Sports Commission to the 2018 National Sports Festival held in Abuja, not as an Edo State contingent to the festival which didn’t feature rugby, but as a hand on man to the chairman who was saddled with the responsibility of putting in an Edo State hosting bid by the Executive Governor of Edo State Mr Godwin Obaseki and successfully defended and won the bid.

Today it is happiness and prayers galore for this unique feat which has since put smiles on the faces of nearly all rugby players in the country from all the six geo political zones as they are preparing to slog it out at the Ministry of Youth & Sports organised Team Sports Zonal Qualifiers/Eliminations taking place from January 20-22rd, 2020 in all the six geo-political zonal centers.

According to Mr.Rugby: “This is the only genuine way to develop the game in the country. The biennial festival alongside the annual National Youth Games are veritable tools to genuinely spread the game in the country through the states.

“The number of states involved in rugby grew between 2006 and 2009, but drastically reduced thereafter. Today however, with the readmission of rugby at the festival has brought about new states like Akwa Ibom, Yobe, Bayelsa, Benue, and Bauchi getting involved in the gentleman’s sports, thereby capturing all the six geo political zones of the country for the first time.

“We will like to sincerely thank my Chairman Barrister Godwin Dudu Orumen and my Deputy Director Technical, Mr. Charity Igbinosa who have helped to make this dream come through towards the meaningful development of the game in the country and provide employment for rugby players.

“Basically, this is the only event where players are paid some allowances and some are even given employment in sports loving states across the federation. We pray that the game can return as one of the permanent events especially now that rugby is an Olympic scoring event. It is a Commonwealth and All Africa Games scoring event too.

“Notwithstanding, rugby players and officials who are the main beneficiaries are all so excited and appreciative of the return of rugby to the festival that now have activities in over twenty two states of the federation.

“This is a great relief, that brings exceeding joy, excitement for an early start to domestic rugby activities by the teaming Nigerian rugby community who have been starved and deprived of domestic rugby activities throughout last year which evidently rubbed off on the only National Team that represented the country, the “Men” National Team called the “Black Stallion” during international engagements with near dismal performances in all appearances.

“States participating for the zonal qualifiers include Yobe, Bauchi, Benue, FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, Niger, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Abia, Imo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and the host state, Edo respectively.

“This is certainly the beginning of good things returning to the beautiful rough game that is played by gentlemen going forward in 2020 by God’s grace,” he opined.