Rugby
RUGBY GETS A BOOST IN EDO STATE
Another tournament is in the offing as attempts to popularize rugby in Nigeria gather momentum.
According to head coach of Edo State Rugby Association, Ntiense Williams, the Ehibam Griefshare Foundation is partnering with the Edo State Rugby Association to launch the Ehibam Schools Rugby Tournament on Saturday December 1 at Emotan College in Benin City.
“Mr. Rugby”, Ntiense Williams
Activities lined up for the official launch of the tournament which will kick off fully in 2019 will include two schools sevens rugby matches for boys and girls from selected schools who have been involved in the sports of Rugby in the state.
Other activities lined up will include a wellness talk, medical testing and counselling by professional health workers for a preventive and healthy lifestyle for the society and mostly for those involved in sports and Rugby in particular.
Ehibam Griefshare Foundation has decided to partner in the development of Rugby in Nigeria and Edo State in particular.
According to the founder of the Foundation, Pastor Dupe Irele, “the Ehibam Griefshare Foundation was set up two years ago in memory of my beloved son Ehisieme Osarieme “Ehi” Alonge who passed on at a tender age of 35 years in England on his way home from work.
He was a dedicated rugby player and Coach, playing regularly with his local rugby team “Kilburn Cosmos RFC” and coaching the kids in his neighborhood!”
Said Pastor Dupe, as she is fondly called, “The Foundation which is primarily involved in assisting grieving family overcome their trying time has decided to give back to society through Ehi’s love – “Rugby” and what better place to start than his home town of Edo State” .
“After the formal launch of a Rugby Tournament this year on his birthday being 01 December, we hope to the scale it up to an annual Schools Rugby Tournament in his memory to be known as “Ehibam Schools Rugby Tournament” and it could possibly become a National event to promote the game of Rugby in Nigeria.
“We were introduced to Mr Ntiense Williams, popularly known as “Mr. Rugby” in Nigeria and he has been so fantastic in helping and guiding us through the planning of this event and the sport of rugby, which is so fast growing in the country.
“The Foundation is therefore proud to be involved with this project in memory of our son, Ehi.
“We have come home to Edo State with the hope of helping in whatsoever way to revive and reposition the state as a sports – and particularly – a Rugby-loving state in Nigeria.
“With time, we will be talking with his Kilburn Cosmos Rugby Club side to also assist and possibly visit Nigeria and play some international club friendly rugby matches especially in Edo state and in the flagship national rugby tournament. “
According to Ntiense Williams, the event promises to be a success with the endorsement by the Governor and the Deputy Governor of Edo State who are meant to grace the occasion as the Special Guests of Honour to the event alongside other state executive members and royal fathers.
Rugby was introduced to Edo State in 2006 by Ntiense Williams towards the Gateway Games which Rugby became a medal winning event and Edo State won an unprecedented four gold medals and a bronze medal out of six gold medals at the National Sports Festival.
The Schools Rugby Program has been running since 2014 in twelve Schools in Benin metropolises on self-sponsorship by the Coaches, and the assistance of the Chairman of the Edo State Rugby Association Arc. Frank Evbuomwan and some board members.
According to the Chairman of the newly established Edo State Sports Commission ,Godwin Dudu-Orumen who linked up the Foundation with the Rugby Association, “We sincerely thank the Ehibam Griefshare Foundation for reposing the confidence in the game of Rugby which is one of our power and strength sports which many Edo indigenes are involved here and abroad and doing exploits. We will like to call on other well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to come and join forces with us towards developing the sports in the state and in Nigeria”.
According to the Head Coach of the Edo State Rugby Association and National Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, “we are very delighted to have this surprise package from Ehibam Griefshare Foundation to float a Schools Rugby Tournament in Edo State.
“We look forward to partnering with them towards further making Edo State a household name, tourist destination in Rugby through our ongoing “Catch-Them-Young Schools Rugby Project”.

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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Rugby
Rugby returns to sports festival

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.
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Rugby
Nigeria Rugby Federation Signs Multi -Year Partnership with Flovale Consulting

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.
- OBITUARY3 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football2 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- OBITUARY3 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- WAFCON17 hours ago
Nigeria, Tunisia Set for High-Stakes WAFCON 2024 Clash in Casablanca
- IMMEMORIAL2 days ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football