Rugby
Edo Female Rugby team made history at the 1st national women rugby tournament
The Edo State Female Rugby Team led by Head Coach Ntiense Williams popularly known as “Mr Rugby” made history over the weekend by winning the 1st National Women’s Rugby Tournament held at the Main Bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
The tournament ran from Thursday 15 to Monday 17 July. The ‘Mr Rugby’ assembled team which was supported by assistants coaches Jeremiah Igbuwe and Emeka Matthew beat all comers at the championship to lift the trophy .
The championship was sponsored by the Delta State Government, and supported by an array of backers that included Buga Win Sports Betting Company, United Planet Media, SYDA and Africa Sports Connect.
It held under the auspices of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation headed by Dr Ademola Are.
The Team Edo who looked much smaller in size in comparison to other teams were compensated with their well drilled techniques, passion, poise and strength of character.
Like dynamite that they are, they took on every team that came their way and defeated them all from different regions of the country.
But what was more interesting was the fact that they did not just beat their opponents, but they also ensured that they played all their games without any opponent scoring a try or a point on their result.
Thus emerging as the first rugby female team to complete a tournament without conceding any try or points in history.
This feat was made possible in all weather which they played in and by all opponents who could only threaten but couldn’t go pass the fortified impenetrable defence wall of the team.
They all played as a unit, less complains on the pitch and serious concentration on their goal, which was to re-establish their supremacy from the last 2020 National Sports Festival where they also won the gold at home.
This time around, it was sweeter as it was in their arch rivals Delta’s home and in front of their aggressive crowd.
Team Edo was well coordinated by infield captain and playmaker Augusta Mene who also was the team kicker.
She ensured that the game flowed smoothly once in possession of the ball and marshalled an impenetrable defence line.
Diminutive attacking centre, Becky Oktikpi was a terror throughout the tournament with her thrilling evasive runs and precise tackles which earned her the MVP and the highest try scorer with 9 trys (Goals) and lifting the trophy and and getting awards.
The Benin City Babes scored 3 un-replied Trys by Becky Oktikpi, Precious Ukwuoma, and Chinaza Abbah, while Playmaker Augusta Mene got in a conversion to make the final score 17 points to nil. (Try = 5 points & conversion = 2 points)
According to the Head Coach Obong Ntiense Williams, “We are so grateful to God for this huge win and historic record setting achievement.
“It is a clear statement to the investment put into all sports in Edo State by the Government of Godwin Obaseki and his sports loving Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu who superintends over the sporting activities as a sportsman himself”.
Said he, “You will remember that Rugby last featured at the 2020 National Sports Festival being hosted by Edo State after a long lay off of 11 years.
“Furthermore, it specially got a waver for the Women Rugby Event which had suffered from the reduction of participating teams due to the COVID -19 pandemic, but was rescued by the action sports loving deputy governor”.
According to the Akwa Ibom State born Rugby Aficionado, “This win, clearly confirms to us of a holistic sports development of the Edo State Sports Commission led by Yusuf Ali.
The Awards
- MVP& Highest Try Scorer – Oktikpi Becky (Edo State)
- Most Promising Player – Godfirst Sampson (Lagos State)
- Highest Scoring Team– Edo 41 Vs Abia 0
- Highest Total Points of the Tournament= 151 Points tally.
- 27 Trys and 8 Conversions
- No Points Against! – This is a historic record.
Rugby
Rugby player of Nigerian roots, Itoje, becomes first black to captain British and Irish Lions in 137 years
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
-Reuters
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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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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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