Sports
NRFF Gets New Name, Soon
The President of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Kelechukwu Mbagwu, (NRFF), has disclosed that the federation would soon change its name to Nigeria Rugby Football Union (NRFU).
Mbagwu revealed to newsmen on Monday in Lagos that the new name would be effective from June following the decision taken at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the federation held in Lagos over the weekend.
“In line with the international body’s instruction, NRFF is changing its name to Nigeria Rugby Football Union.”
“ The AGM, which is the first after our constitution was approved by the Sports Ministry and the NOC, sat in Lagos at the weekend to approve the new name.
“We took the decision to comply with the international body’s directive but it will be effective from June,’’ Mbagwu said.
According to the NRRF president, the federation has direct all state affiliates to conduct election into their boards by December.
“Other far-reaching decisions were also taken at the AGM.
“All the state affiliates are expected to conduct elections into their boards on or before December.
“Those states that are ready to have their elections should contact the federation to send delegates to monitor their elections.
“However, the states must ensure that all stakeholders are carried along in the process of the election.
“A three-member committee was set up to come up with guidelines within three months for the elections,’’ Mbagwu said.
Mbagwu also added that AGM had approved Nigeria hosting of the Africa Silver Cup.
“At the level of the board, we accepted to host the Africa Silver Cup tournament.”
“The tournament will take place in Lagos in June from June 7 to June 17.”
“Although we are the host but we are hosting to win because we have what it takes to win,’’ he said.
Rugby Africa Cup 2019 Pool A tournament would see Nigeria play host to Madagascar, Botswana and Ghana.
The competition would be an opportunity for the country to increase rugby’s awareness.
Cote d’Ivoire would also play host Senegal, Mauritius and Rwanda in Pool B from June 15 to June 23.
The winner of Pool A would then meet Pool B winner in a final match to determine the Silver Cup champion.
The tournament is continental second tier tournament behind the Gold Cup and the winners would gain promotion to the elite division of Rugby Africa Gold Cup where they stand a chance to earn a slot at the World Cup in the year 2023.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.