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EHIBAM HOST FIRST SCHOOLS RUGBY TOURNAMENT IN EDO STATE

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The Ehibam Griefshare Foundation which launched the Ehibam Schools Rugby program last year has made good its promise to institute an annual schools rugby tournament in Edo State.

The first edition of the championship is billed for next week Friday at Idia College in Benin City from 10am to 4pm.

According to the Coordinator and Head Coach of Edo State Rugby Ntiense Williams, “the first edition of the Ehibam Schools Rugby Tournament will feature eight Schools from the 14 presently participating in the Edo State Schools program.

They are divided into two categories of four boys and four girls teams. They are Edo Boys High School, Asoro Grammar School, Iyokogba Grammar School, and Iyogbe College in the boys category.

In the girls category are Emotan College, Idia College, Iyogbe College and St Mariah Goretti Secondary School.

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According to Williams, “Ehibam Griefshare Foundation has decided to partner in the development of rugby in Nigeria and Edo State in particular by sponsoring schools tournaments and special prizes to young rugby players across the country when ever opportune.”

According to the founder of the Foundation Pastor Dupe Irele, “The Ehibam Griefshare Foundation was set up three years ago in memory of my beloved son Ehisieme Osarieme Ehi Alonge who passed on at a tender age of 35years in England on his way to work. He was a diehard rugby player and coach especially for his local rugby team and the kids of his neighborhood!”

Said Pastor Dupe as she is fondly called, “The Foundation which is involved in assisting grieving family overcome their trying time has decided to give back to society through Ehi’s love – “Rugby” and in his home town of Edo State.

“Ehi would have been 40 years this year. We belief that with the institution of a Schools Rugby program which was his ‘love’ posthumously we will keep his memory alive in our hearts and benefit the game and kids he loved so much

“We will be celebrating his 40th posthumous birthday with two activities in Edo and Lagos State respectively.

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“We will also like to use this opportunity to formally congratulate our Edo State girls rugby team who made us proud by winning the Gold Medal at the recently concluded National Youth Games at Ilorin which Ehibam graciously played its modest role by donating two giant trophies to encourage discipline in Rugby for both the male and female categories.

“We will like to sincerely thank the Edo State Sports Commission led by Godwin Dudu Orumen and the Edo State Rugby Association led by Frank Evbuomwan for graciously partnering with us on this auspicious project of developing the beautiful game of Rugby in Edo State.”

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Rugby player of Nigerian roots, Itoje, becomes first black to captain British and Irish Lions in 137 years

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 Rugby Union - British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement - O2 Arena, London, Britain - May 8, 2025 British & Irish Lions' Maro Itoje holds a lion stuff toy as he poses during the squad announcement Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Maro Itoje, who was born to Nigerian parents in Camden, North London, has been named the captain of the British and Irish Lions that will be on tour in Australia.

He remarked that he was “deeply honoured and humbled” after being appointed captain of the British and Irish Lions.

The 30-year-old Saracens lock becomes the 47th Lions captain since 1888, the first Black player to captain the side, and only the third Englishman in the last 89 years to be appointed tour leader.

“I will do my best to do the role justice. I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead, it’s going to be a great tour,” he said

“I know the appetite amongst the players is extremely high, everyone is hungry to be a Lion, and I can’t wait to play my role.”

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One of the few sure test starters, Itoje will be embarking on his third Lions tour after being selected as the youngest player in New Zealand in 2017 and playing a standout role in South Africa in 2021.

Appointed England captain in place of Jamie George in January, Itoje led his country to second place in this year’s Six Nations Championship with four wins in a row.

The first Englishman to lead the Lions since Martin Johnson 24 years ago, also in Australia, and only the second in the professional era, the London-born son of Nigerian parents was the obvious choice after Ireland captain Caelan Doris suffered a shoulder injury.

Doris was not named in the 38-man squad and is expected to require surgery.

Itoje said he received an unidentified call on his mobile from an Irish number after club training on Tuesday, a bit of a giveaway since Lions head coach Andy Farrell is also the coach of Ireland.

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Even though the line was crackling, and he did not have Farrell’s number saved, he recognised the coach’s Wigan accent. Then the line went dead.

“I put the phone down, and then it’s gone, isn’t it? He knows something’s brewing,” laughed Farrell. “So, I rang him back and I went ‘Oh, by the way, would you like to be British and Irish Lions captain?’.

Itoje had dinner in London on Wednesday with some of the past captains, and he said their passion and appreciation shone through.

“It was amazing. It’s a brotherhood, it’s a unique club, and to spend time with them, for them to show the love and care and appreciation that they still have for the Lions. It was absolutely amazing to be a part of that.

“It’s our responsibility now to take it forward and to make sure the Lions continues to be in an elevated position.”

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Itoje showed he was captain material from an early age, leading the England Under-20s to Junior World Cup triumph in 2014, even though he became Saracens captain only this season and former coach Eddie Jones had declared him too “inward looking”.

Itoje disagreed with that assessment and has gone on to prove it wrong, while Jones was shown the exit in 2022.

“He has thrived on the England captaincy. He played really well in the Six Nations, but he has played even better for us since then,” Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall told the Guardian this week.

“Maro has absolutely thrived on all of that leadership,” he added. “Maro is very much a leader by what he does and how consistent he is.”

The Lions have a game against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. They will have five tour games before the first test in Brisbane on July 19. The second and third tests are on July 26 and August 2.

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-Reuters

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Rugby returns to sports festival  

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Rugby players are celebrating the return of the sport to the National Sports Festival and will thus be one of the disciplines at the Edo State Sports Festival which is coming up from 22nd to 30th of April 2025 at Benin City.

Rugby is one of the 29 sports approved by the organizing committee of the 4th edition of the Edo State Sports Festival.

The disciplines are: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Cycling, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Para Athletics, Taekwondo, Tennis, Abula, Ayo, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Deaf Athletics, Karate, Scrabble, Swimming, Dart, Kung-fu, Kickboxing, Table Tennis, Judo, Football and Rugby.

Rugby was previously excluded but the position has changed to encourage Rugby which is very popular in Edo State.

At the National Sports Festival of 2022 in Edo State, rugby was a scoring event. That was 10 years since its absence after featuring last at the Kada Games in 2009 in Kaduna State.

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Nigeria Rugby Federation Signs Multi -Year Partnership with Flovale Consulting

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Ahead of the kickoff of the Africa Rugby Sevens tournament in Mauritius, the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) (www.NigeriaRugby.org) has taken a significant step in repositioning rugby in the country by signing a three-year partnership deal with Flovale Consulting.

The partnership will enable Flovale Consulting to create a dedicated channel and focus efforts on making rugby one of the most popular sports in Nigeria, while also promoting the development of both body and mind. This collaboration aims to lay a strong foundation for the future growth of Nigerian rugby.

“We are passionate about developing rugby as a government agency responsible for the promotion and development of the game in Nigeria,” said NRFF President Dr. Ademola Are. “This partnership will advance rugby in Nigeria through a unified plan that benefits all levels of the game, from community and professional rugby clubs to unions, regions, commercial partners, and fans. Everyone has a role to play.”

The partnership focuses on growing rugby participation, increasing fan engagement, and supporting players at all stages of their careers.

It reflects the NRFF’s ambitions for development and growth, addressing societal issues and values.

The collaboration will create development programs and age-appropriate training structures, ensuring junior players can develop their skills and passion for rugby in a fun and safe environment.

Volunteers and players will be actively supported to fully enjoy their time in the sport.

“We aim to help players reach their full potential and remain involved in rugby into adulthood, whether playing for unions or clubs. Delivering this strategy with our clubs, schools, partner organizations, and commercial partners will ensure that rugby in Nigeria continues to thrive,” said Opeoluwa Runsewe, CEO of Flovale.

Runsewe added, “As a corporate partner, Flovale Consulting is committed to driving growth and success both locally and globally. With careful planning and innovative strategies, this partnership is set to elevate rugby, foster financial stability, and achieve significant milestones.”

“We are excited about this partnership with Flovale. Collaborations such as this will foster the development of rugby in Nigeria,” concluded Dr. Ademola Are, NRFF President.

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