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.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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